Employment in the Rhondda

The Rhondda has suffered disproportionately high levels of male unemployment since the demise of the coal industry starting in the 1960s. Local employment for women has always been difficult, particularly high quality, well paid employment. 2019 figures from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) show Rhondda has an unemployment rate of 9% - which is higher than anywhere else in Wales. This means unemployment is more than double than the UK rate of 4.2%. 

It is well recognised that unemployment, particularly sustained unemployment, has both obvious and subtle effects on individuals, communities, families, businesses and political entities. The impact is felt at the personal, community and even national levels, with individuals and families suffering the brunt of emotional, psychological, spiritual and physical effects. Unemployment figures, so dry and distant to those who are working, can take devastating tolls on those who are out of work. Those same figures drive business and political decisions that create a vicious cycle of self-fulfilling prophecies -- job losses followed by economic downturns followed by still further job cutbacks.

It is the intention of this initiative to reverse this cycle of long-term unemployment and negativity by providing a good news story and an example of positive community action.