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Home , Blaenau Gwent, Ebbw Vale Steelworks, Gwent (county)

Regional Profile & Blaenau Content

Ebbw Vale Overview of Ebbw Vale & Blaenau Economy of Ebbw Vale Gwent & Workforce Skills Addressing Youth Unemployment Summary

> > Overview of Ebbw Vale History

Ebbw Vale is a town at the head of the valley formed by the Ebbw Fawr tributary of the Ebbw River in . It is the largest town and the administrative centre of Blaenau Gwent .

Originally a rather insignificant spot in rural with only about 120 inhabitants but at the end of the 18th century, Ebbw Vale—and the whole valley—was transformed by the .

The Ebbw Vale Iron Works, later to become the Ebbw Vale Steelworks, opened in 1778, followed by the opening of a number of mines around 1790. At its height (1930s — 40s) the works in Ebbw Vale was the largest in Europe, although attracting very little attention from German bombers during World War II.

By the 1960s around 14,500 people were employed in the works in and around Ebbw Vale, but the end of the century witnessed a massive collapse to the industry. A strike in 1980 was followed by closures and redundancies which resulted in the dismantling of many of the old plants. In 2002 only 450 were employed in the old industries, and by July of that year the final works closed.

> Overview | Economy | Workforce Skills | Summary > Overview of Ebbw Vale Ebbw Vale Today

The largest regeneration project in Wales is currently underway on the former Steelworks However, significant recent investment in Blaenau Gwent includes: site – including the opening of a new Learning Zone, Leisure Centre, housing, industry and The • Over £100 million for the Learning Works Scheme at The Gwent Archives. Works • £12 million in new accommodation which also provides care services for elderly people A £250 million racetrack is planned for Ebbw Vale • £111 million investment in housing as part of housing stock transfer Developers say the track will create thousands of jobs, and bring • £50 million state-of-the-art hospital at The Works 750,000 visitors to the area each year. • The UK’s first dedicated Green Skills Training Centre in , training over 1,000 people each year in renewable Closing the main industries, such as coal mines and steelworks, has technology led to an overall loss in jobs, and the region now moves towards an • Town centre renovation for all five towns through economy where its manufacturing and service jobs have to compete regeneration projects and grants with all of the world’s emerging regions and countries.

> Overview | Economy | Workforce Skills | Summary > Economy of Ebbw Vale & Blaenau Gwent

Tourism is extremely important to Blaenau Gwent

Blaenau Gwent participates in the annual STEAM research. In 2014 this showed that: The target for both Ebbw Vale and Blaenau • Around 630,400 people visited Blaenau Gwent, generating expenditure of around £36.37 million. Gwent is to get: Since 2011 visitor numbers and expenditure has increased by 1%. • 80% of recorded visitors were Day Visitors. Just over 17% were staying with Friends or Relations • More people into work (VFR), and almost 3% were staying in commercial accommodation operations. • Day Visitors contributed 45% of the area’s income, whilst VFR generated 41% and those staying in • Create more local job opportunities commercial accommodation generated 14% to the overall expenditure. • An estimated 395 FTE jobs are directly attributed to Tourism, and a further 154 FTE’s are indirectly • Help local businesses succeed linked. Food & Drink together with Shopping are the sectors with the most direct employment. • Encourage succeeding social enterprises The goal for Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent is to encourage the tourism sector to grow in a sustainable way to make an increasing contribution to the economic, social and environmental well- being of Wales.

> Overview | Economy | Workforce Skills | Summary > Economy of Ebbw Vale & Blaenau Gwent

Ebbw Vale Property Ownership & Rental Ebbw Vale Social Grade & Occupation Ebbw Vale Age Distribution Statistics Statistics Statistics Age Blaenau Gwent Wales Tenure Blaenau Gwent Wales Social grade is a classification based on Age 0 to 4 5.8% 5.8% Owned 32.9% 35.4% occupation and it enables a household and all Age 5 to 9 5.1% 5.3% Mortgage 29.1% 32% its members to be classified according to the Age 10 to14 5.8% 5.8% Shared 0.1% 0.3% job of the main income earner. Ebbw Vale has Age 15 to 17 4% 3.7% Social Rented (Council) 11.1% 9.8% 20% less Higher and Intermediate managerial, Age 18 to 24 9.2% 9.7% Social Rented administrative or professional households than Age 25 to 29 6.1% 6.1% (Housing Assoc) 12.9% 6.6% the national average. Age 30 to 44 19.4% 18.6% Private Rented 11.4% 12.7% Age 45 to 59 20% 19.9% Other 1.4% 1.5% Grade Blaenau Gwent Wales Age 60 to 64 6.6% 6.7% Rent Free 1% 1.6% AB 9.27% 17.93% Age 65 to 74 10% 9.8% C1 22.68% 29.31% Age 75 to 84 5.8% 6.1% C2 24.94% 23.06% Age 85 and over 2.1% 2.4% DE 43.11% 29.69% Mean Age 40.5 40.6 Median Age 41 41

> Overview | Economy | Workforce Skills | Summary > Economy of Ebbw Vale & Blaenau Gwent

Blaenau Gwent - Location Blaenau Gwent – Key Statistics:

Blaenau Gwent stretches across the northern sections of the and Ebbw • 15 miles long North to South (Fawr and Fach) Valleys and has the benefit of the A465 (Heads of the Valleys road) running through it giving good access to The Midlands and SE . • 8 miles East to West Blaenau Gwent probably has the best road links to major markets of any Valley authority. • Topography – three valleys, transport links are up and down the valleys The rail network now links Ebbw Vale to and the extension into The Works has been given the green light. This line and the other public transport • Key settlements in Ebbw Vale, , elements will be part of the Cardiff Capital Region Metro project. Tredegar and

Blaenau Gwent covers around 110 square km and has a population of around • The county is approximately 30 miles from 70,000 which has seen a small decrease over the last year. Analysis of land Cardiff and 20 miles to Newport. is usage identified: a distance of 56 miles and it is 95 miles to Birmingham • Open Countryside 45% • Defined urban area 23% • Enclosed Agricultural land 20%

> Overview | Economy | Workforce Skills | Summary > Workforce Skills

Continual growth and development is essential for business survival

All businesses need to grow and develop in some way whether it is into new markets or through developing new products. Therefore, continual growth and development is essential for business survival. The skills base of a local population is a key determinant of economic performance. High skills can attract investment and new businesses to an area, and people with higher skills are generally employed in higher value occupations.

Why should Ebbw Vale & Blaenau Gwent develop skills for their local economy?

Workforce planning is a continuous process of shaping the workforce to ensure that it is capable of delivering organisational objectives now and in the future; thus every town and city needs a strong and proficient workforce to enable it to prosper and to actively compete in today’s increasingly competitive global market.

> Overview | Economy | Workforce Skills | Summary > Workforce Skills

Employment by occupation (Oct 2013-Sep 2014) Qualifications Blaenau Gwent Blaenau Gwent Wales GB Blaenau Gwent Blaenau Gwent Wales GB (Numbers) (%) (%) (%) (Numbers) (%) (%) (%) Managers & Directors 1,900 6.6 9.2 10.2 Individual Levels Professional Occupations 3,200 11.6 17.9 19.9 NVQ4 & Above 6,900 16.2 31.4 35.2 Associate Prof & Technical 2,700 9.7 12.4 14.2 NVQ3 & Above 15,300 36.0 53.7 55.8 Administrative & Secretarial 2,400 8.5 10.6 10.7 NVQ2 & Above 25,300 59.4 71.2 72.5 Skilled Trades Occupations 3,400 12.1 12.8 10.7 NVQ1 & Above 31,800 74.7 82.9 84.4 Caring & Leisure 4,200 15.0 10.1 9.1 Other Qualifications 3,800 9.0 6.4 6.3 Sales & Customer Services 2,300 8.2 8.3 7.8 Process Plant & Machine Oper 4,000 14.4 6.7 6.2 Elementary Occupations 3,000 10.7 11.3 10.7

Total JSA claimants (January 2015) Claimants Aged 18 to 24 Blaenau Gwent Blaenau Gwent Wales GB Blaenau Gwent Blaenau Gwent Wales GB (Numbers) (%) (%) (%) (Numbers) (%) (%) (%) All People 1,947 4.4 2.6 2.0 Total 555 8.5 4.3 3.1 Males 1,243 5.6 3.4 2.6 Up To 6 Months 350 5.4 3.1 2.3 Females 704 3.2 1.8 1.4 Over 6 And Up To 12 Months 85 1.3 0.5 0.4 Over 12 Months 120 1.8 0.7 0.4

> Overview | Economy | Workforce Skills | Summary > Addressing Youth Unemployment (Aged 18-24)

We appreciate that there is no quick fix solution and the answer to youth unemployment must come collectively from politicians, businesses, recruitment agencies, schools and colleges.

PMP Recruitment constantly works with businesses/industry in order to develop the economy of Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent to create a future for its young people in line with the UK economy. Employers in the region hold the key to helping young people prepare for work and harnessing their potential.

Advantages of recruiting young people

Young people often have an abundance of energy and a natural thirst for knowledge, which can rub off on colleagues and help invigorate the workplace. As a recruitment agency we witness how young people tend to push themselves, wanting to make a lasting impression and prove what they can do. Their sheer determination to complete their work can inspire colleagues around them. Therefore, if a company puts sufficient time and thought into recruiting young people, it can subsequently provide a very positive return on investment.

There are clear business benefits to employing young people It is crucial for the wellbeing of young people that businesses take real ownership for skills development and good job creation – it is by local employers accepting responsibility that the whole will achieve a positive impact and sustainable employment.

> Overview | Economy | Workforce Skills | Summary > Summary

A skilled economy must constantly train its young people

Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent needs to be a place, which: Blaenau Gwent economy is shifting from manufacturing towards a service base • recognises that every single individual has talent and can develop The Blaenau Gwent business sector has been hit by a number of high profile • where people have aspirations and build knowledge closures and the area is well below the general Wales average in almost all through education and experience socio economic indicators. Nevertheless, the proposed • attracts and retains smart people and creates presents an opportunity to turn around the economy of Blaenau Gwent. opportunities for skilled people to develop and apply what they know The Blaenau Gwent economy is shifting from manufacturing towards a service • recognises the value of its young people and retains them base. However, with 50% of the service jobs in Blaenau Gwent in the public to grow the economy of the future sector the area is vulnerable to public sector spending cuts and economic contraction. Only by achieving these aims will both Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent have a more productive economy to Education and learning are the key building blocks of opportunities for all compete in a global economy, and a better quality of life people. By providing high quality education and learning opportunities the for “all” its people. Employment is recognised as a key region will secure the long-term social and economic well-being of Ebbw Vale determining factor of quality of life and a means of reducing and Blaenau Gwent. levels of deprivation, inequality and improving health.

> Overview | Economy | Workforce Skills | Summary > Summary PMP’s Objective

PMP Recruitment constantly endeavour to develop and nurture relationships which they have with all their candidates on their database, as well as continually seeking and engaging with new candidates to attract fresh talent.

At PMP Recruitment we recognise, completely, that the long-term economic health of towns and cities rests on investment in citizens’ skills and professional qualifications.

Also as a recruitment agency we acknowledge our responsibility “that we must always be at the forefront of industry knowledge.”

It is our objective to help and assist all companies in the region of Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent as well as their surrounding areas to recruit and employ successful candidates in order that they may fulfil business targets and compete in today’s increasingly competitive global markets.

> Overview | Economy | Workforce Skills | Summary > Be Knowledgeable