More than 800 young people who were out of work or education across the West Midlands have already moved closer to employment through a targeted youth employment programme backed by \u00a35m of public funding.<\/p>\n
The region is one of eight areas in England selected as a Youth Guarantee Trailblazer under the Government\u2019s Get Britain Working initiative.<\/p>\n
The West Midlands currently has the third-highest proportion of 16\u201324-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEETs).<\/p>\n
The programme, led by the West Midlands Combined Authority, has focused on addressing practical barriers to work, from access to training and work experience through to confidence-building and employer engagement. Its early impact has prompted a further \u00a35m commitment to extend delivery for an additional year.<\/p>\n
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: \u201cRight now, around a quarter of people in our region don\u2019t have the skills they need to land quality jobs and that\u2019s a big reason why too many young people are out of work. Giving young people skills and job opportunities is at the heart of my West Midlands Works Plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Youth Trailblazer has already helped 800 young people take their first steps on the career ladder. With another \u00a35 million secured, we can support hundreds more to overcome the barriers holding them back and get into good jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Support measures introduced through the programme include grants to help employers create work experience opportunities, alongside changes that allow 18-year-olds to access training routes that lead more directly into apprenticeships and employment.<\/p>\n
Local authorities are also testing earlier interventions. Dudley Council, working with local colleges and partners, is piloting a scheme to identify young people at risk of becoming NEET at an earlier stage. The initiative has already helped 18 young people secure placements through tailored coaching, employability support and confidence development.<\/p>\n
Employers and charities have also played a key role. RSPCA Coventry and District has used the programme to strengthen its local workforce.<\/p>\n
Marketing and fundraising manager Emma Davies said: \u201cThe Youth Trailblazer has been an amazing help to us. As a small charity, independently funded to the national RSPCA, we want to strengthen our work within the local community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis scheme has been an effective way to do this and has led to us offering Niah a permanent position as one of our centre receptionists. She’s been an asset to the organisation from day one and we’re now looking to see how else we can increase our workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The programme has already supported hundreds of 16\u201124-year-olds and will receive additional funding to continue breaking down barriers for those struggling to start their careers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":266702,"featured_media":2108549,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"coauthors":[127717],"class_list":["post-2108547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news","tag-black-country","tag-coventry-and-warwickshire","tag-featured-story","tag-greater-birmingham","tag-shropshire","tag-staffordshire","tag-worcestershire"],"yoast_head":"\n