Nine schemes to target areas of high unemployment

Nine schemes to help thousands of disadvantaged and long-term job seekers into work have been launched across the West Midlands, backed by a £4m grant from the Department for Work and Pensions.

The funding is targeting areas across the region where unemployment is high and levels of pay low.

The three-year schemes will also provide support for low-paid workers to gain skills to secure better jobs.

Cllr George Duggins, leader of Coventry City Council and the WMCA’s portfolio holder for productivity and skills, said: “There are record numbers of jobs being created in the West Midlands but some people are still missing out.”

The biggest pots of funding have gone to two areas of Birmingham – Washwood Heath, where Remploy will receive £1.05m, and Shard End, where the Shaw Trust will run to pilot scheme with £825,000.

The other areas to receive funding are Birchills Leamore, Walsall; Binley and Willenhall, Coventry; Glascote, Tamworth; Chelmsley Wood, Solihull; Batchley and Brockhill, Redditch; Camp Hill, Nuneaton and Bedworth; and Cannock North.

The schemes are targeted with helping up to 4,500 people find work, with an emphasis on supporting people in to better paid jobs. There will be a particular focus on young people, disabled people and other vulnerable groups.

Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council and a member of the WMCA board, said: “It’s clear that growth alone is not enough; we need inclusive growth and the Employment Support Pilot targets areas of high unemployment and low pay to give people the support, skills and confidence needed to make the most of the opportunities currently being created in this region.”