New government research has revealed that those with skills are less likely to face unemployment, while unskilled workers have suffered worst during the recession.

The report found that 28% of the unskilled demographic have been left out of work for the past 12 months while other sectors suffering the effects include sales and customer service at a 16% increase in unemployment and ‘skilled trades’ such as engineers and technicians suffering a 13% rise. However, despite common perception that the UK is amidst a ‘white collar’ recession, this sector has only witnessed a 5% loss of jobs with professional occupations being the least effected at only 4%.

Speaking exclusively to TrainingZone.co.uk, Chris Humphries, chief executive of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) said: "The data confirms yet again how skills and qualifications really matter when it comes to job security as well as earning. There has been quite a bit of coverage arguing that this has been a white collar recession. These figures suggest otherwise, though it's important to remember that white collar workers sometimes don't show up in the official figures - because they often get significant redundancy packages, Job Seekers' Allowance doesn’t make a big contribution. And because they often get new jobs quickly, many of them simply don’t bother to register with Job Centre Plus.

"Despite this, the overall message is clear – the higher your skills, the less the risk of unemployment, and the less the length of unemployment."

Access the full report from the UKCES website here.