THE majority of highly-educated and qualified people who leave East Cambridgeshire every day to go to work, would prefer to be employed in the district – according to a survey. 18,000 people leave each day – more than 50 per cent of the working populatio

THE majority of highly-educated and qualified people who leave East Cambridgeshire every day to go to work, would prefer to be employed in the district - according to a survey.

18,000 people leave each day - more than 50 per cent of the working population.

The survey set out to discover why commuters work where they do and what could be done to entice them to work in the district, uncovered a staggering 82 per cent of those questioned would prefer to work locally.

It confirmed there are a large number of well-qualified people commuting by train out of East Cambridgeshire every day to Cambridge and London. Of those commuting out of the district by train, 60 per cent had a degree and 26 per cent had some form of postgraduate qualification.

The majority of residents commuting to London are employed in public administration, financial and legal services and creative sectors. In Cambridge, education and training dominates, as well as health and social work.

The Economic Development team at East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) asked rail commuters between Ely and Cambridge to answer a short questionnaire.

Cllr Peter Cresswell, chairman of the Community Services Committee at ECDC said: "This survey makes interesting reading and helps the council plan for the district's future. We already knew that almost 50 per cent of the working population within East Cambridgeshire commute out of the district every day to work. What we have discovered is how highly skilled this section of the population is and the large majority would prefer to work here.

"This is a challenge we need to rise to, but we have an attractive area that is cost effective for businesses and we have an expanding workforce readily available.

Yuno Ltd, a Japanese-funded venture analysis company in Ely partnered with the district council to conduct the study.

James Griffiths, Director of Yuno, said: "Although the district is already popular as an affordable and attractive place to live the benefits of East Cambridgeshire as a business location are not widely known. This survey indicates businesses locating here will be welcomed by a highly skilled workforce."

A copy of the report is at: www.eastcambs.gov.uk/ docs/econdev/railsurvey.pdf