JOBSEEKERS and businesses looking to hire are being called on to sign up for a scheme that has made the commute for 9,000 people a little easier when starting a new job.
Workwise offers free travel to work for the first eight weeks after taking up a new job and a 50 per cent discount for a further four weeks.
The scheme, which has been running for the past eight years, is run by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) in collaboration with local bus, rail and tram operators new starters are offered free public transport.
The aim of the ground-breaking scheme, which was first launched by TfWM’s predecessor organisation Centro in 2003, is to remove a key barrier for those starting a new job – paying for transport before they have received their first pay packet.
Now Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands has urged more people who are about to start work, or businesses hiring new staff, to find out more about Workwise and sign up for the support.
The Mayor’s message to jobseekers comes just days after he highlighted Workwise during his speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.
A recent survey of previous users found that 81 per cent of respondents were still in employment six months after getting Workwise support with 52 per cent saying they would have been unable to accept the work without that support.
Andy Poole signed up for Workwise when he started work as a decarbonisation manager with TfWM after a period out of work following an unexpected redundancy.
He said: “It’s brilliant because it meant I didn’t have to pay out before starting the new job. With my travel costs covered for the first couple of months it was one less thing to add to what was going to be a large credit card bill.
“It’s really helpful in a practical way and I also felt valued – someone appreciates it’s a difficult situation when you start a new job and don’t get paid until the end of the month.”
For TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Workwise is a scheme which shows how transport services can support the region’s economic growth plans by supporting people into work and helping businesses retain staff.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “Youth unemployment is double the national average, and I’m committed to changing that. It’s not just about jobs; we need to tackle the hidden barriers that hold people back.
“If you’re a young person starting at college, a new job or an apprenticeship, the challenge of travel is very real and it limits choices, possibilities and opportunities.
“The Workwise scheme has opened up public transport for many, helping over a thousand people find and keep jobs each year. Taking the stress out of getting to work – especially when starting a new job – is key, which is why my youth plan includes access to transport to help address youth unemployment.”
