LONG-TERM job seekers in north Solihull have received a boost after a new employment scheme was announced.
The pilot project hopes to give people in Chelmsley Wood tailored job advice and specialist support.
Chelmsley Wood has been identified as one of nine areas where unemployment is high and levels of pay are low.
There will be a particular focus on young people, disabled people and other vulnerable groups.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has awarded Advance Housing and Support a £378,874 contract to set up and deliver the three-year scheme starting this summer.
The Chelmsley Wood scheme along with the eight others across the region will help up to 4,500 people find work, with an emphasis on supporting people in to better paid jobs, the WMCA says.
Coun Bob Sleigh, leader of Solihull council, deputy mayor of the West Midlands and a member of the WMCA board, said: “In Solihull we have focused efforts on getting people skilled and into employment, particularly young people in the north of our borough.
“This new programme will build on our success in Chelmsley Wood and hopefully help even more people into work, into better paid jobs or more fulfilling careers.
“I look forward to working with Advance Housing and Support to ensure everyone benefits from the opportunities the borough’s future economic growth will bring.”
Jagdeep Soor, head of employment and skills at Advance Housing and Support, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been appointed by WMCA to deliver the Employment and Support Pilot in Chelmsley Wood.
“We have a long history of delivering positive outcomes for our customers in the West Midlands and look forward to working with our partner network, employers and community groups to help more people find work and also support people into better jobs.”
The scheme, which is being funded by the WMCA using a £4million Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) grant, is designed to help equip low paid workers with the skills needed to land better jobs.
The location-based support is aimed at making it easier to engage with local residents and to encourage the communities themselves to use their existing social networks to help spread the word about the opportunities and support available.
