Baseline Analysis

A baseline analysis of the employment situation in each of the six market towns of Bridgwater, Shepton Mallet, Wellington, Chard, Yeovil and Watchet/Williton was conducted in two stages during 2004.

Stage 1 consisted of an economic analysis and a detailed employment analysis. The economic analysis involved the digest of published reports, profiles and strategies relating to the six towns and their surrounding areas in order to develop a baseline analysis of the local employment situation.

For the employment analysis consultants used existing data sources to show the relative positions of each of the market towns in terms of dependency on declining industrial sectors for employment.

In Stage 2 primary research was conducted into the current employment situation within these market towns. This involved partners and key employers who are familiar with the local area and able to add more value to a local baseline analysis by identifying the key issues that need tackling and the areas of need on which to form the action plan.

Key findings

• Economic vulnerability of the six towns
• Manufacturing sector continues to play an important role in all six towns
• A tight labour market with businesses competing for higher level skills
• The towns’ labour markets exhibit poor levels of skills from basic skills to higher level qualifications
• There is a low wage economy in the towns
• The towns have an ageing workforce

More information about individual towns is available on the towns’ pages and in the full report.

The Executive Summary of the Report on the Baseline Analysis can be downloaded in pdf format.

The Baseline Analysis final report and Technical Reports can be downloaded in pdf format.