Table 5 : Jobs held by 15-18 year olds who have left school
| Occupational Group | 1996 | 2002 |
| Farming, fishing and forestry workers | 1,394 | 567 |
| Manufacturing workers | 7,679 | 5,619 |
| Building and construction workers | 3,277 | 4,181 |
| Clerical, managing and government workers | 1,320 | 1,292 |
| Communication and transport workers | 1,068 | 905 |
| Sales and commerce workers | 4,199 | 4,568 |
| Professional, technical and health workers | 831 | 497 |
| Services' workers | 3,535 | 3,135 |
| Other workers (incl. not stated) | 2,620 | 6,702 |
| Total | 25,923 | 27,466 |