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 West Midlands Mayor’s plan to tackle youth employment.
Richard Parker announced the 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 in Birmingham.
Youth unemployment in the West Midlands it is double the national average in some areas such as Walsall, Wolverhampton and Birmingham according to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
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 advice, support services and pathways.
The offer will also include 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 – and access to mental and physical health support, including talking therapies.
The Mayor said: “It was the West Midlands that offered me my greatest chance to get on in life when aged 16 I left school, unsure of my future.
“I want the West Midlands to be the region that gives young people the best possible start in life, with good quality jobs, the support they need to feel ready for work and the ability to progress in their careers – this is why we are launching the initial phase of our West Midlands youth plan – our regional approach to delivering the national government’s youth guarantee.
“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.
“Let’s work together to make the West Midlands a model for the nation by investing in our youth and therefore investing in our future.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Apprenticeships and work experience are powerful tools in our mission to break down the barriers to opportunity. We want to give young people across the country the skills they need to get on in life, no matter their background.
“Richard and I are both passionate about supporting young people to get the skills they need to achieve and thrive. This government wants to work alongside our mayors to harness the talents of the British people and unlock growth in every part of our country.
“It is great to see the West Midlands Youth Plan champion youth employment and skills, creating opportunities to earn whilst learning to power bright futures and economic growth.”
