Working Lives
4 in 5 of working age have a qualification
Highest qualifications attained: by sex, for working age population 2001/02
Qualifications
In 2001/02 nearly four out of five working age people in Wales had an educational qualification. The Labour Force Survey found that 80 per cent of men aged 16 to 64 and 76 per cent of women aged 16 to 59 reported holding a qualification.
Men were nearly twice as likely as women to have A-levels as their highest qualification (28 per cent versus 15 per cent), whereas women were more likely to have GCSEs as their highest qualification (29 per cent versus 18 per cent). Men were also more likely to have a degree and less likely to be unqualified. These differences were most evident among those aged 50 and over. However, among 16 to 24 year olds the proportions of men and women holding each qualification were similar.
People’s qualifications varied markedly according to Unitary Authority area. Blaenau Gwent had the highest proportion of people with no qualifications (33 per cent) whereas Monmouthshire had the lowest (15 per cent). The highest proportion of degree holders was in Cardiff (22 per cent) and the lowest in Blaenau Gwent (5 per cent). Differences in employment opportunities, age, structure and location of educational establishments are important factors.
Economic activity
Seventy eight per cent of men and 68 per cent of women in Wales were economically active in 2001/02, that is, were either working or looking for work. Overall economic activity rates ranged from 80 per cent in Powys and Monmouthshire to 67 per cent in Neath Port Talbot and 65 per cent in Merthyr Tydfil. Merthyr Tydfil and Neath Port Talbot had some of the largest proportions of people not working due to long-term illness or disability.
The unemployment rate in Wales was 6 per cent in 2001/02. Young adults aged 16 to 24 were more than twice as likely to be unemployed (14 per cent) than older adults. Within each age group unemployment rates for men and women were similar.
Unemployment rates tended to be higher than average in south Wales, and were highest in Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent (both 8 per cent). Rates were lowest in Conwy, Wrexham, and Powys (all below 4 per cent).
Employment sector
Over the last five years the proportion of manufacturing jobs in Wales has been declining relative to jobs in other sectors, such as public administration, education and health.
Men and women continue to be concentrated in different employment sectors. The June 2002 Turnover and Employment Survey found that 42 per cent of female jobs were in the public administration, education and health sector compared with 19 per cent of male jobs.
By contrast, the largest proportion of male jobs were in the manufacturing sector (26 per cent) compared with only 8 per cent of female jobs. Variation by gender was also marked in the distribution, hotels and restaurants sector although not apparent in finance and business services.
Employee jobs by sex and industry, June 2002
Source: Annual Local Area Labour Force Survey, 2001/02, Office for National Statistics; Short-term turnover and employment survey, 2002, Office for National Statistics.
Economic activity rate: the economically active population as a percentage of the total working age population (men aged 16 to 64, women aged 16 to 59).
ILO Unemployment: International Labour Organisation (ILO) recommended measure, which counts as unemployed those aged 16 and over who are without a job, are available to start work in the next two weeks, who have been seeking a job in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained. The unemployment rate is based on the ILO definition as a percentage of all economically active.
Employee jobs: one person may have more than one job, and jobs may vary in the hours' work they involve. Self-employed jobs are excluded.
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Demography