Grand Central stakeholders pledge 1,000 jobs for Birmingham

THE heads of three organisations with a key stake in the future success of Birmingham city centre have signed a pledge to create 1,000 new jobs.

Birmingham City Council, John Lewis and Network Rail have penned the Jobs and Skills Charter, which is aimed at helping local people access the positions being created with the £600m redevelopment of New Street Station and its accompanying shopping centre.

The charter sets out how the organisations will ensure Birmingham’s diverse community, including young unemployed people, have access to the opportunities being created by the new development.

The shopping scheme, dubbed Grand Central Birmingham, will be anchored by a 250,000 sq ft John Lewis shop – due to open in autumn 2014 – providing three-quarters of the 1,000 jobs available.

The organisations will work with local colleges and universities, training providers as well as specialist agencies including Jobcentre Plus, the Skills Funding Agency and National Apprenticeship Service to ensure skills, training and access are a top priority.

The three bodies said the overall aim of the charter is to support the growth of Birmingham as a world class destination.

Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “This is another illustration of our commitment to helping local people into work. I am delighted that John Lewis and Network Rail have signed up to working with us to provide an opportunity for our priority groups to access the new jobs which are arising out of this investment.”

Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis, said: “Our aim as an employer is to reflect the community in which we trade and I am delighted to sign this charter, which underlines our commitment to providing local jobs for local people.

“We want to ensure that the opportunities created by the new Grand Central development are accessible to all and benefit Birmingham and we look forward to welcoming new partners into our business.”

Dyan Crowther, Network Rail route managing director, added: “The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street will transform the experience for the thousands of passengers who use the station every day and allow it to handle the ever increasing numbers of people who want to use the railways.

“This investment in our transport infrastructure will also give John Lewis and Grand Central the opportunity to offer exciting new retail opportunities in the heart of the city, helping to stimulate regeneration and create one thousand new jobs.

“We’re delighted to be working alongside Birmingham City Council and John Lewis to open up those opportunities to the local community.”