Mayor secures 16,000 training and work experience opportunities to tackle youth unemployment in the region

Employers across the West Midlands have pledged more than 16,000 work experience, training and apprenticeship opportunities as part of Mayor Richard Parker’s drive to get young people into good careers.

Plans to create 20,000 opportunities were set out in the Mayor’s Youth Plan last summer and, by working with local partners, he is well on course to meet his target.

The Mayor said: “We’re backing young people with the skills and opportunities they need to get started in an exciting career and set themselves up for life.

“This is a win-win as we’re also helping local firms secure the vital talent they need to grow.

“By connecting people to good jobs, we’re not just changing individual lives – we’re strengthening our communities and securing our region’s future prosperity.”    

A partnership with Movement to Work (MtW) is one of the ways in which the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is helping to tackle youth unemployment in the region.

The YouthPath scheme connects employers with young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), and the Mayor is encouraging businesses in the region to sign up.

The Mayor joined employers Mitchells & Butlers and Diageo at a unique work experience event held at All Bar One in Brindleyplace, Birmingham, to celebrate a growing collaboration that is helping young people kickstart careers in hospitality.

The Diageo Learning for Life programme, delivered in partnership with the UK’s leading hospitality charity, Springboard, helps individuals over the age of 18 who face barriers to education or employment, to build meaningful careers in the hospitality industry.

Brought together by Movement to Work, the Diageo Learning for Life programme and Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the collaboration enables young people to gain industry recognised qualifications, skills, personalised mentoring, and hands-on work experience in M&B venues across the region.

The Mayor heard from learners about their experiences on the programme and their future aspirations.

Tamara Pinnock, aged 18 from Bartley Green, said: “I have never been very academic but managed to get through school and started thinking about a career in hospitality. Work experience and training are like stepping stones that help to build you up. I’m hoping it leads to a career in mixology.

“It’s been really valuable to experience working in the hospitality sector. I’m halfway through the course and already it has helped me to realise what my strengths are and what I can bring to a team. I love to socialise and this helps me to provide a great service for customers. I believe that if you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”

Shane Masters, aged 21 from Weoley Castle, added: “I did quite well at school and have always had a good head for numbers but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I started a college course which wasn’t working out for me so after a year I looked for a different path.

“I had been looking for a job for two years and it’s disappointing when you complete lots of application forms and don’t hear back. Getting work experience has helped me to find my direction.

“Doing a programme like this is perfect for young people who may be struggling with their confidence. It helps them to really push themselves and get that first link with an employer.

“I really enjoy bartending and feel at home in a hospitality environment. It’s giving me the experience I need to work my way up into a fulfilling career.”

Sareena Bains, CEO of Movement to Work, said: “By creating meaningful pathways into work, we’re not only opening doors for the young people across the West Midlands who need support the most – we’re also helping employers build more inclusive, future-ready workforces.

“This partnership between Diageo Learning for Life and M&B, powered by YouthPath, is a powerful example of what scalable, employer-led solutions can achieve in our region. By placing young people at the heart of their approach, these organisations are not only creating meaningful opportunities but also playing a vital role in tackling youth unemployment.”

Ian Smith, corporate relations director, Diageo GB, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with the Mayor, Movement to Work and Mitchells & Butlers to create a real and lasting impact on the lives of young people in the West Midlands.”

Paul Capper, head of apprenticeships, Mitchells & Butlers, said: “We’re proud to be part of YouthPath and to welcome these incredible Learning for Life trainees into our business. Hospitality is full of opportunity, and with the right support, it can lead to long and rewarding careers.”

Youth unemployment is a national issue, but it is double the national average in some areas of the West Midlands including Walsall, Wolverhampton, and Birmingham, with around 29,000 young people classed as unemployed across the region.

The Mayor recently launched his West Midlands Works Plan, which sets out a bold vision to create 93,000 good quality job opportunities for people over the next ten years.

West Midlands Works is the Mayor’s response to the government’s Get Britain Working initiative, to support people with health conditions and barriers who want to work, into good jobs and fulfilling careers.

Over the next three years the Mayor will also 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.

For more about the Mayor’s employer pledge visit: Employer Pledge and YouthPath