Dealing with Auto Industry Rundown and Closures: a perspective from Birmingham Challenges facing Mono-Sectoral Cities, Open Days 2010

7. Conclusions: Work

• 90% of ex-workers were back in work 3 years on. Most in full-time job with permanent contract or self-employment.
• BUT; interviews in 2009 suggest some have lost jobs again
• Difficulties in finding work: age, skills/experience and too many people applying.
• Personal initiative and networks have been key to ex-workers finding their current job.
• 60% use different skils to those used at MG Rover
• Jobs are diversified with only 30% in manufacturing and a mix of lower and higher occupational status.
• Different pathways back into work

7. Conclusions: Income & Well-being

• Median salary / wage substantially lower than at MG Rover (minus £5640 adjusted)
• A quarter of households in a financially difficult position, but three-quarters financially stable. Two-thirds feel worse off.
• Overall, respondents perceive their current state of health as slightly worse than when working at MG Rover.
• 45% see job as worse than at MG Rover but most still like job
• Those travelling furthest to find work reported more positive ouctomes.
• 60% undertook retraining or education; some difference in perceptions of health where people have done training
• Families and connections have played a key role in terms of support.

7. Conclusions:Policy

• Policy measures had varying degrees of success
• Policy: Proactive and reactive policies required
• Advance action and rapid response crucial
• Need for institutional capacity (  Regional Task Forces)
• Need to support good quality manufacturing jobs
• Avoiding sudden closures and try to slow down the process
• Ensure that employees have skills to cope as industries change, through high quality, flexible education, training, information and mobility programmes (ability to travel).
• Tailored response

Update: 2008-9 Recession

• 2008-2010: Regional Task Force
• Vulnerable places, businesses and people
• Lessons learned from MG Rover experience
• Abolition of the English regions:
• Will this expertise / experience be lost?
• Wider policy learning?