Worcestershire blends industrial and economic strength with breathtaking landscapes and historical sites.

The north-east of the county includes part of the industrial West Midlands while the rest of the county is largely rural.

There is a wide range of job opportunities in public administration, education, health and social care (66,000 jobs) as well as in retail and wholesale (42,000 jobs) and in business, financial and professional services (50,500 jobs).

The county is a popular tourist destination attracting millions of visitors every year. There are also over 1,300 businesses within the tourism and leisure sector in  Worcestershire. Over 18,000 people work in hospitality (accommodation and food services) and 7,000 people work in arts, entertainment and recreation services.

Nearly half of all businesses in Worcestershire are rural and 98% of these rural businesses employ less than 50 employees. So finding work in the area can be difficult unless you can network and job search small businesses.

High growth sectors include advanced manufacturing, cyber security and defence, and agri-foods. 

• 32,000 people in Worcestershire are employed in manufacturing. The county has a significant automotive supply chain linking with Jaguar Land Rover and other first tier car manufacturers . It also has a strong manufacturing base in traditional industries such as carpet weaving, needles and textile manufacture. Employment in machine manufacturing and engineering is 85% above the England average.

• Worcestershire is at the centre of a regional network widely known as the ‘Cyber Valley’. This is due to its proximity to important cyber security institutions such GCHQ and the SAS (the UK’s Special Armed Services) and to the density and range of cyber security firms located in the area. Malvern Hills Science Park is home to a cluster of growing companies working to strengthen the UK response to cyber-attacks. 

• Worcestershire is also home to many successful businesses focused on agriculture, horticulture and food production.

Wychavon - especially the Vale of Evesham - Teme Valley and the Malvern Hills are sector hotspots. Employment is mostly concentrated in:

• processing and preserving fruit and vegetables

• dairy product manufacture

• fish and seafood processing

• production of raw materials, grain mill products and starch products

The Agri-Tech Research Centre at Pershore College is a key research and development facility for the sector.

Key Local Employers

The NHS is the largest employer in Worcestershire.

Other key employers include supermarket groups and the following organisations:

AFH Financial Group Airband Community Internet Amazon Barchester Healthcare Blue Earth Foods BUPA David Lloyd Elysium Healthcare Evesham Vale Growers (EVG) Halfords Heart of Worcestershire College Jark Worcester Kanes Foods Komatsu Listers Group Malvern Panalytical Maria Mallaband Care Group

Mitie Morgan Motor Company National Cyber Skills Centre Pershore College Platform Housing Group Rooftop Housing Group Spire Healthcare QinetiQ Titania University of Worcester Vax West Mercia Police West Midlands Safari Park Whitbread Worcester Bosch Worcestershire County Council Yamazaki Mazak

Last Updated: 5 November 2024