Jobs in Birmingham

If anywhere can be described as an industrial town, it is Birmingham. As Britain’s second largest city, Birmingham has turned its hand to virtually every conceivable industry, earning it the label ‘city of a thousand trades’. The city has been the location for some of the most important and pioneering inventions and scientific breakthroughs, notably gas lighting, custard powder, the magnetron, the first ever use of radiography in an operation, Lewis Paul and John Wyatt's first cotton Roller Spinning machine and the UK's first ever hole-in-the-heart operation at Birmingham Children's Hospital – all of which have conspired to transform this Midlands market town into the nation’s economic centre with a sizeable population to match.

Then and now
Birmingham started as a small Warwickshire manor but grew to become the 'workshop of the world'. By the 17th century Birmingham’s population had grown to 15,000 primarily because of its close proximity to iron ore mines and coal fields and plentiful water power which saw James Watt spark off the Industrial

Revolution when he invented the steam engine in the city. Its subsequent well-developed canal network and the construction of the railways played a vital part in the city's success.

Birmingham’s reputation was forged as a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution. And although the industries that catapulted the city’s economic vibrancy have declined, Birmingham has witnessed an amazing transformation, with considerable economic growth and improvements in the city’s competitiveness.

Despite growing to prominence as a manufacturing and engineering centre, Birmingham’s economy today is dominated by the service sector, which accounts for three quarters of the city's economic output and a large part of its economic growth. However, manufacturing continues to play a significant role in the local economy and represents around 12% of all employment opportunities in the city – this percentage increases in the wider region with the likes of Jaguar Cars in Castle Bromwich, Alcoa in Kitts Green and Cadbury Trebor Bassett in Bournville providing the bulk of all industry jobs.

And as the largest local authority in the UK and the largest council in Europe, Birmingham’s public sector is arguably the biggest employer, responsible for around 30% of the workforce with healthcare an ever growing sector

With an annual turnover of £2.2bn, Birmingham is the UK's second largest retail centre, with the country's busiest shopping centre - the Bulring - and the largest department store outside London - House of Fraser on Corporation Street.

The city also has a well-established financial and business services sector. Two of Britain's ‘big four’ banks have their headquarters in Birmingham - Lloyds TSB and HSBC – as well as a number of leading accountancy institutions including KPMG, Arthur Anderson and Ernst & Young. The city employs over 100,000 in the banking, finance and insurance sectors.

Being easily accessible via road, rail and air and its equidistant proximity to the likes of London, Liverpool and Manchester, Birmingham plays host to around 40% of the UK’s conference and exhibition trade, with major facilities such as the International Convention Centre and National Exhibition Centre.

Key business areas
The Bullring is a key commercial area of Birmingham and has been an important feature of Birmingham since the Middle Ages, when its market was first held. It has been developed into a shopping centre twice; first in the 1960s, and then in the 2000s.

Corporation Street: it is a main shopping street in central Birmingham. It runs from the law courts at its northern end to the centre of New Street at its southern end.

Outside the city centre, Bournville is and area mainly known for its connections with the Cadbury family and chocolate. It is also home to Serco Integrated Services - the second largest employer here employing approximately 1,800 people.

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

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

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