Economy Swansea

the technium centre, 1 of first of new buildings built part of sa1 development scheme @ swansea docks




part of swansea waterfront developments.

swansea developed centre metals , mining, copper industry, beginning of 18th century. industry reached apogee in 1880s, when 60% of copper ores imported britain smelted in lower swansea valley. however, end of second world war these heavy industries in decline, , on post-war decades swansea shared in general trend towards post-industrial, service sector economy.

of 105,900 people estimated work within city , county of swansea, on 90% employed in service sectors, relatively high shares (compared welsh , uk averages) in public administration, education & health , banking, finance & insurance, , correspondingly high proportions of employment in occupations associated service sector, including professional, administrative/secretarial , sales/customer service occupations. local authority believes pattern reflects swansea s role service centre south west wales.

economic activity , employment rates in swansea above welsh average in october 2008, lower uk average. in 2005, gva per head in swansea £14,302 – 4% above welsh average 20% below uk average. median full-time earnings in swansea £21,577 in 2007, identical welsh average.

swansea home dvla headquarters in morriston, employs around 6,000 people in city. other major employers in city admiral group, hsbc, virgin media, abertawe bro morgannwg university health board, bt , amazon.co.uk. virgin atlantic maintains largest worldwide contact centre in swansea; including reservations, sales, baggage claims, , customer relations.