Mayor secures 13,000 pledges to give young people crucial work experience and training

Employers have pledged almost 13,000 work experience, training and apprenticeship opportunities as part of Mayor Richard Parker’s drive to get young people into good careers.

Working with local business and partners to create 20,000 work experience placements, training opportunities and apprenticeships over the next three years is a key part of the Mayor’s Growth Plan which sets out a blueprint for re-igniting the regional economy.

The employer pledges mean the Mayor is well on the way to achieving his target which is a key pillar of his flagship Youth Employment Plan which he launched 12 months ago.

Rising youth unemployment is a national issue, but it is double the national average in some areas such as Walsall, Wolverhampton and Birmingham –with around 28,000 young people classed as unemployed across the region.

The Mayor’s Growth Plan sets out a bold vision to transform the region’s £77 billion economy by creating 93,000 good quality, well-paid job opportunities for people over the next ten years.

The Mayor said: “I’m pleased we’ve now secured even more training and work experience pledges from employers across the West Midlands. We’re making a real difference every day.

“This is what our Growth Plan in action looks like. We’re backing young people with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive, while helping local firms grow the talent they need.

“By connecting people to good jobs in the region’s fastest-growing sectors, we’re not just changing lives - we’re building our economy.”

Over the next three years the Mayor will deliver a guarantee for all young people across the region to be able to access training, education, careers guidance and other forms of support so they can take their first step towards work. This includes work readiness programmes and work preparation lessons at school.

One young person that has benefitted from a placement is 25-year-old Daniel Harte from Erdington.

Daniel joined the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) funded Engineering Path2Apprenticeship with Performance Through People (PTP) in October last year, embarking on a completely new career path after spending six years as a chef.

Unfortunately, Daniel developed a reaction to chemicals commonly used in kitchens, which forced him to leave a job he had dedicated years to. After 12 months of unemployment and searching for a fresh start, he came across a Performance Through People advert for the Engineering Path 2 Apprenticeship (PTA) – and saw the perfect opportunity to rebuild his future.

Daniel had always been interested in welding, so attended the PTP Walsall Training Centre two days a week to learn practical welding skills from scratch.

During the P2A programme, Daniel actively searched for vacancies with the support of his tutors and soon secured an apprenticeship at Rotadex Systems, an engineering and manufacturing storage solutions company, for a Level 2 LEAN Manufacturing Operative Apprentice, with PTP as the training provider.

Daniel is now thriving at Rotadex and reflecting on his experience, said: “Path 2 Apprenticeships made the learning very easy. It was fun and engaging, and the tutors were extremely helpful when I made mistakes – they always reassured me.

“But it also helped build my confidence I had struggled with interviews in the past, but the training gave me the confidence and guidance I need to present myself well and stand out to employers.

“I now have a great work-life balance, I feel happier than I have in years, and motivated to continue doing new things to progress my career.”

Looking ahead, Daniel aspires to move into the design side of manufacturing, proving that a fresh start and the right support can change a life.

PTP Training has committed to providing more than a hundred placements this year, with over half already completed. 

Ian Bailey, operations manager at Performance Through People said: "Every great engineer starts with a single step and in Daniels case this was with our Pathway to Apprenticeship program. When a learner steps into an apprenticeship, they’re not only gaining skills, but they are also building confidence, unlocking potential, and shaping the future of the engineering industry." 

William White, managing director at Rotadex said: “We strongly believe in the value of training and apprenticeships in particular as a pathway into the manufacturing workplace. Young individuals learn skills that give them confidence and make them highly employable allowing them to develop their careers.

“Companies such as Rotadex Systems Ltd benefit from staff trained in skills that are relevant to our business and the fresh ideas and energy that young people can offer.

“Apprenticeships have never been more relevant at a time when UK industry needs more skilled workers to compete in a world-wide market. We are grateful to the Mayor for highlighting this crucial development area for both individuals and companies alike.”

The WMCA has invested £7.5m over three years into a Path 2 Apprenticeships programme which helps young people decide whether an apprenticeship is the right route for them to gain employment. The programme also provides businesses with a valuable opportunity to recruit new talent.

The Mayor’s Growth Plan includes £30m to provide support for bold, local skills initiatives. This will fund locally driven solutions to turbocharge jobs and skills support and tackle deep-rooted barriers to opportunity, productivity and inclusion.

The package includes £10m to develop bespoke training programmes that businesses can shape and invest in to give people the skills to work in fast growing sectors of the economy like green technology, advanced manufacturing and construction.

Another £10m will be used for Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills training and another £10m to develop a more inclusive, locally driven skills system to help marginalised communities, including disabled people, into better work.