The county of Essex covers over one thousand square miles in the South East of England and is home to almost two million people. The county's close proximity to London and great connections to the capital make Essex an excellent destination for those seeking a new career, but the area itself boasts a range of diverse industries and sectors - and a wealth of opportunities. So where are the prime employers for those searching for
jobs in Essex?
Retail
Aside from being home to many towns with their own respective town centres (such as Chelmsford, Harwich and Southend), Essex is also famed for its large out-of-town shopping centres. One of which is Lakeside Shopping Centre, which sits adjacent to the new town Chafford Hundred. Opened in 1990, Lakeside was the first of its kind in the country, now offering mass employment in over 200 shops, 3 department stores and over 30 restaurants. The success of Lakeside has had an excellent impact on the growth of the surrounding area, with Chafford Hundred being the most sought-after place to live in 2002.
Agriculture
On the other end of the scale, much of Essex lends itself to agricultural and farm land. Most of the agricultural land of the county is located in the central and northern areas, and is seen as a prime destination for those with an interest in farming and horticulture due to the renowned Writtle College. Writtle, now a partner with the University of Essex specializes in farming, animal care, equine studies and countryside management. Colchester is also home to Colchester Zoo.
Motoring
For those with an interest in pursuing engineering and mechanics, Essex has a significant motoring industry. Brentwood, in the south, is the home of the UK headquarters of the Ford Motor Company, whilst the business has been established in the area since the 1940s and by the following decade was employing about 40,000 people. Today, Essex is also home of the Arena Essex Raceway located just next to Lakeside, and a prime destination for motoring and speedway enthusiasts.
Electronics, Telecommunications and Research
Chelmsford and Harlow are the Essex hubs for telecommunications and electronics respectively. The former has had a history in telecommunications since the end of the 19th Century when Guglielmo Marconi established the world's first "wireless" radio factory - today Marconi is owned by Swedish company, Ericsson. Harlow is home to multiple electronics manufacturers and pharmaceutics research such as Raytheon.
--
Sarah Maple writing about the
job search market.
