Jobs in Poole | Pictures of Poole

Arguably the belle of the south-coast resorts, home of the Royal Marines, the Special Boat Service (SBS) and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), as well as being the world centre for luxury yacht production, Poole’s credentials are impressive. And with a local economy that has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, coupled with a number of development projects that are expected to be completed over the next year as part of a £1bn investment scheme, Poole’s rating as a desirable place to live and work continues to soar.

Then and now
Poole developed as an important port and a major hub for the fast-growing wool trade that saw the town prosper to the extent that by the early 1800s, 9 out of 10 workers were engaged in harbour-related trades in Poole and the port had become one of the busiest and most important in the country having established a thriving trading link with the newly created United States of America. As goods were imported and converted into marketable goods, a prominent manufacturing industry ensued.

During World War Two, the port was one of the main departure points for the D-Day landings but, tide and time took its toll on Poole and the fisherman’s boats and trading vessels that once graced the port have since been replaced by super yachts and cruise liners. That said, Poole harbour continues to be a prosperous, medium-sized commercial port. Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries operate passenger and freight services to Cherbourg, France, including a fast catamaran service carrying up to 732 passengers and 185 cars across the Channel.

Although the importance of traditional manufacturing has declined over the last forty years in Poole, as it has throughout the rest of the country, it continues to contribute significantly to the local economy – albeit in a different guise to what it once was.

Indeed, Poole harbour is home to the world's largest privately-owned luxury yacht builder, Sunseeker International, which employs more than 1,800 people in Poole and generates over £160 million for the local economy every year. Along with other major manufacturers in the area, such as Sealed Air, Siemens, Ryvita and Penske Cars Ltd (who build racing cars for Penske Racing), the manufacturing sector is responsible for around 17 per cent of all jobs in Poole - almost 4 per cent higher than the national average.

Since the 1970s, Poole’s less restrictive regional planning policies acted as a beacon for organisations looking to relocate from London. And many of these companies were from the financial and business services sector that continues to be a vital engine of growth for the local economy. American Express Bank, the corporate trust division of Bank of New York and Barclays Bank – which employs 1,200 people – are some of the leading financial institutions that have relocated a sizeable proportion of their operations to Poole.

And with a population teetering on the brink of 140,000 and being the administrative centre for the County Borough of Poole, it comes as no surprise that the public sector is the main source of employment in the area. Indeed, the Council is the single biggest employer in Poole, with over 4,500 employees.

Given its prominent location on the south coast and award-winning blue flag beaches, tourism still plays a major role in the vitality and prosperity of Poole. More sophisticated and less brash than its Dorset neighbour in Bournemouth, Poole attracts a somewhat different clientele and the tourism industry here generates up to £150m income each year for the local economy and supports around 5,000 jobs. Indeed, hotel room occupancy rates are envied by most resorts around the UK.

Key business districts
Poole has the largest number of industrial estates in Dorset, including Nuffield, Alderney & Mannings Heath Industrial Estate and the Arena Business Park. Indeed, demand for space has stimulated the development of a number of new industrial estates in the area. Merley, the biggest industrial area, is where more than 16 per cent of the workforce is based.

The regeneration of Poole central area and a second harbour crossing is creating a further 5,000 new jobs to develop to 3,000 homes and 2 new hotels along with a number if retail outlets.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current property available to buy or let in Poole.

Take a closer look
A picture is worth a thousand words. You can see some images from in and around Poole below.

Looking for local vacancies? See all current jobs in Poole or find out more information on the local area.