Mayor sets out plan to create 20,000 youth learning and work opportunities in West Midlands

Working with local business to open up 20,000 work experience placements, training opportunities and apprenticeships training is just one of the key parts of the flagship youth employment plan launched by West Midlands mayor Richard Parker.

The Mayor shared this first phase of his plan on a regional level to align with national government’s youth guarantee, at the Learning and Work Institutes’ Employment and Skills Convention held at Eastside Rooms, Birmingham.

Rising youth unemployment is a national issue, but in the West Midlands it is double the national average in some areas such as Walsall, Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

Time spent out of work under 23 is linked to lower wages and higher unemployment even 20 years on. Being out of work can also have a detrimental impact on health and, increasing the likelihood of taking up smoking, becoming obese or abusing alcohol, which in turn can impact on the chances of finding and staying in work.

The initial phase of the West Midlands youth employment plan sets out the offer to young people to ensure they have the best possible start to their working lives through meaningful advice, support services and pathways, in addition to a commitment to creating 20,000 new work experience, training placements and apprenticeships by working with partners and businesses across the region.

The offer will also include:

• Pre-employment training in the region's fastest growing sectors and green skills, with a guaranteed interview, like the Path 2 Apprenticeship programme underway
• Dedicated work coach support for young people who are out of work
• Fully-funded training, up to level 3, to help young people develop the skills needed for work
• Access to mental and physical health support, including talking therapies.
• Building on existing youth hubs to provide all young people with access to a range of support and services, including debt and careers advice.

Welcoming businesses, stakeholders and partners at the conference the mayor laid out his initial phase of the plan and said: “This plan will focus on skills and employment and will include work coach support, pre-employment training in growing sectors with a guaranteed interview, as well as fully funded training up to level three and access to debt and careers advice.

“I call upon businesses and learning providers in the region to continue their work with us to open up a further 20,000 new training or work placements.”

Jake Collins is a young learner, who met the Mayor at the Adult Learning Awards and shared his story telling him more about his poignant learning journey into employment in healthcare.

Jake is a shining example of a young unemployed person who has turned his life around into a good quality sustainable job with the support of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s adult education and training programmes.

As a full-time carer for his mom from the age of 13, Jake missed out on getting formal education leaving school with just one GCSE.

After sadly losing his mom aged 20 and despite feeling isolated, Jake was encouraged by the job centre to join a Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) with training at Sandwell College, which led to him securing a full-time role as Ward Service Officer at Sandwell Hospital.

His success was acknowledged by the Mayor, when he won an Adult Learning Award for Step into Learning after being nominated by Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

Jake, now 21, from West Bromwich, said: “I did this course because I wanted to do something with my life and make my mom proud. I knew I wanted to work in the hospital because I had spent so much time there with my mom and wanted to help people.

“Having gained a Level 1 certificate in Health and Safety, I was offered a full-time role as a Ward Service Officer. I am so much more confident now. I feel like my life has changed more than I ever thought it would.”

Emma Dalton, widening participation project manager at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, said: “After the death of his mum, Jake felt lost.

“All he knew was that he wanted to make his mum proud. Jake’s line manager is so impressed with how he is progressing.

“Jake provides guest speaking sessions to motivate others and has recently attended a committee meeting to share his story with senior directors within the Trust. Jake has overcome so many challenges to be where he is, and we couldn’t be prouder.”

Pictured (L-R): Nicholas Bailey, Jake Collins and Richard Parker