Jobs in Wolverhampton | Pictures of Wolverhampton

With a population teetering on the brink of 240,000, Wolverhampton in the thirteenth largest city in the UK and the second largest in the West Midlands, after Birmingham. Sometimes confused about its own identity, Wulfrunians often deliberate whether they are part of the Black Country or not and although the jury may still be out on this, the city’s motto Out of darkness cometh light subtlety hints that perhaps it isn’t.

Then and now
While the British Empire was soaking up all corners of the world, Britons at home were in the grips of an industrial revolution that centred on the Midlands, with the local economies of Wolverhampton and its neighbours becoming transformed almost beyond recognition. What had previously been a modest market town trading primarily in wool, Wolverhampton soon became a cornerstone of the new industrial society that saw it evolve as a major industrial centre concentrated in the mining (mostly coal, limestone and iron ore) and steel industries, and eventually the production of enamel paint, locks, motorcycles and cars.

However, in line with national trends Wolverhampton has been forced to seek new economic drivers to sustain itself as a post-industrial service economy.

Indeed, the service sector employs provides employment for 75 per cent of the working population in Wolverhampton and is categorised as a ‘star’ performing sector by the city council on account of the fact that sector growth in the ten years between 2001 and 2011 is expected to have topped 32.5 per cent – higher than any other sector. And central to this growth is the retail, hotels and restaurants sector.

Employing over 23,000 people, this sector is experiencing a strong level of growth, thanks in part to major refurbishment of the city’s two main shopping centres that are seeing visitor numbers increase as a result, with the likes of Beatties (now owned by House of Fraser) being one of the major retail employers in the area.

Being the administrative centre for a region populated by 239,000 people, almost 33 per cent (37,000) of people work in Wolverhampton’s public sector – 6 per cent above the national average, with the Council itself being the single biggest employer in the city responsible for over 12,000 jobs in its own right.
And within this sector, demand for jobs is greater within the fields of education and health with University of Wolverhampton, City of Wolverhampton College and Wolverhampton NHS Trust being the largest employers.

However, experiencing slower industry growth is the finance, IT and business services sector. As the local economy starts to feel the pinch of the credit crunch, this sector is anticipated to grow at around 19 per cent over the next few years. Indeed employment levels in this sector are significantly lower than the rest of the country, providing just 12 per cent of jobs compared to 21 per cent despite Wolverhampton being home to a number of leading financial and computing organisations including Portman Building Society and Birmingham Midshires (which is headquartered within the city).

Traditionally, Wolverhampton's economy has been dominated by the engineering and manufacturing industries. And this traditional base continues to play a key role in Wolverhampton’s economy today, albeit in a less significant way than during its heyday. Sustaining a workforce of over 14,000 people, the overall manufacturing sector has diversified into various sub-sectors, notably aerospace and defence. Indeed, one of the largest employers in Wolverhampton is Smiths Aerospace which, along with H S Marston and the Goodrich Corporation dominate this sector.

Key business districts
Wolverhampton Business Park is a 30-acre site with a number of large scale offices for the likes of Alfred McAlpine, Persimmon Homes, Cooperative Insurance Society (CIS), HSBC and the new Regional Control Centre for the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service.

Pendeford Business Park, located on the northern fringe of the city, off junction 2 of the M54, is home to a number of service sector companies including Birmingham Midshires, KJM Beauty Products, Mowlem, and Westbury Homes.

After the Business Park, Wolverhampton Science Park is second biggest business park in the city and is split into three divisions: the Technology Centre, Creative Industries Centre and the Development Centre. The Park is home to a number of service sector organisations ranging from IT to public administration and pharmaceuticals. Wolverhampton City Council is also based here.

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

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

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