Midland Metro body looks to recruit 80% of suppliers from West Midlands

Dozens of West Midlands companies are being offered the chance to help build a series of multi-million pound Metro tram extensions over the coming decade.

Firms and other contractors were told of the opportunities available to them at a supplier event organised by the Midland Metro Alliance in Wolverhampton.

The MMA, which is building six extensions on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has set an ambitious target of recruiting around 80% of its suppliers from the West Midlands.

Representatives from more than 85 organisations attended the supplier event, which was aimed at identifying cost savings and best value, innovation and projects such as Building Information Model development, upskilling and apprenticeship schemes.

Firms were also told about the extensions, local focus and the region’s Movement for Growth strategy, as well as given the opportunity to meet MMA staff face- to-face in order to establish contact before the major work starts on the projects.
The intention was to ensure that companies involved in the extension work have the skills and knowledge to best deliver the ten-year programme.

Alejandro Moreno, Midland Metro Alliance director, said: “It is a privilege to be able to promote local supplier resources and to bring business and employment to local organisations. This not only enables us to deliver more sustainably, but it also allows us to give something more back to the region that we are looking to benefit with our highly integrated transport network.”

Phil Hewitt, Metro Programme director added: “Making a success of these infrastructure schemes will benefit a number of local firms which will help to safeguard jobs as well as generating new ones.”

Mr Moreno said the alliance was committed to developing and retaining a local supply network as well as a local talent bank and had set up Sector Based Work Academies with local colleges to recruit and develop the best young talent. The training aims to give people the skills needed to fill apprenticeships and permanent positions within the transport sector.

A number of suppliers were also given an opportunity to showcase their industry innovations, including survey drones, ground penetrating radar, road scanning systems and the latest in safety technology. A virtual tram driving programme also offered people the chance to experience what it feels like to ‘be’ a tram driver.

Talent Match West Midlands, an organisation responsible for ensuring young people are matched to skills development and employment opportunities, was also on hand to explain how it provides mentoring, training and upskilling to young people across the region with the aim of encouraging the supplier network to support local young people.

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