WMCA funds training for unemployed North Birmingham residents to land new jobs
Published: Monday 29 Jun 2020
Fifty unemployed people from North Birmingham are learning skills to help them land new jobs, thanks to funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
The WMCA is funding the training to give local people the skills needed to get back into work, as part of the region's economic recovery from the Covid-19 shutdown.
The training, which started today, is being delivered online by JobSkills at BMet College and is open to residents who are receiving Job Seeker's Allowance or Universal Credit.
Learners will gain Level 1 qualifications in customer service skills, and will also benefit from tailored CV support and job interview training.
At the end of the three-week course, everyone who completes the programme will be guaranteed a job interview at a local company. The work will include picking and packing orders, replenishing warehouse stock and operating machinery.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: At the beginning of the year, the West Midlands was one of the most promising regions in England, with the fastest growing economy outside London. I am confident we can regain this momentum.
We are determined to get people who have lost their jobs back into work quickly, and I am pleased that we're able to fund practical, hands-on support to give local learners in North Birmingham a new start
The WMCA is funding the training through the devolved £126m adult education budget, which is aimed at equipping residents with the skills they need to gain new jobs or develop their careers.
Cllr George Duggins, leader of Coventry City Council and WMCA portfolio holder for productivity and skills, said: The challenges we have faced in the West Midlands have been immense. It's great to see the WMCA helping unemployed people back into work as we all work together to rebuild the economy
Beth Broadhead, JobSkills department manager, said: We're delighted to be working in partnership with the WMCA to train local people in skills that we know employers need, with a guaranteed job interview at the end of the course
Further training courses will be taking place over the next few weeks. To register interest, call the JobSkills team on 0121 362 1174, or email jobskills@bmet.ac.uk
Training local people in employability and customer service skills is one of many initiatives being funded by the WMCA to help residents back into work following the Covid-19 lockdown.
Others include a Rapid Recruitment Team, in which the WMCA is working with training providers to find suitable candidates for industries in critical need of extra staff, such as supermarkets, care homes, hospitals and other essential services.
Residents can access links to new job opportunities and online adult education training by visiting the WMCA's Covid-19 support site at https://beta.wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/covid-19-support/online-resources/