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Employment and Skills

We want every resident to achieve their potential

We are committed to ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to reach their potential by providing people with the skills to obtain good jobs and careers. To do this we are focused on improving skill levels, developing better connections between residents and training offers, while also increasing employment opportunities. 

At the same time, we are working with local and national businesses to ensure that business growth is accelerated through access to a skilled workforce.

View our plan

 

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Lead Officer

Helene Dearn

Director of Employment, Skills, Health and Communities

What we're doing

Adult Education

Since devolution of the Adult Education Budget in 2019, we have secured in excess of £700 million of public funds for jobs and skills for the region.

Talent

We have increased the quality, depth, and breadth of the region’s talent pool, making the West Midlands a more attractive place for businesses to invest.

Employment

We have created 100,000 additional high-quality jobs in the West Midlands since 2017.

Apprenticeship Levy

We have helped large employers transfer over £40 million of levy funding to smaller businesses in the West Midlands to help employ apprentices.
Find out what we're doing in your area

Employment and Skills programmes

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Adult Education Budget

We manage the region's Adult Education Budget.

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Apprenticeships

Earn as you learn with an apprenticeship.

Automotive

Automotive

Ensuring the region’s automotive businesses remain competitive.

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Construction skills

We fund training for construction training schemes in the region.

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Digital skills

Our region has the fastest growing digital sector outside of London.

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Employment Support

We host in-person careers fairs and virtual skills events to help residents.

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Funding for Level 3 qualifications

We support adults to gain Level 3 skills, sought after by employers.

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Sector-based Work Academy Programmes

Opportunities for local unemployed people to learn new skills.

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Hospitality

Discover training and career opportunities in hospitality.

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Youth Offer

Advice for young people on careers, apprenticeships, training, and more.

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Health and Social Care

Addressing the skills gap in health & social care across our region.

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Engineering and Manufacturing

Addressing the skills gap in Engineering and Manufacturing

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Skills Bootcamps

Find out more about our Skills Bootcamps

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Procurement for skills programmes

Learn about procurement for Skills

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ESF - Find your future

Support available to find employment

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Employer Services

Support for recruitment and training your workforce

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Skills for Life: Multiply Programme

Government-funded programme to help you improve your numeracy skills.

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Blogs: Employment and Skills

Read the latest blogs from a variety of contributors

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Employment, Skills, Health & Communities Insights

Monthly data packs from across the region.

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Adult Learning Awards

The Adult Learning Awards shine a light on learners, tutors, employers and providers.

Latest from Productivity & Skills Commission

A photograph from left to right: Alex Claridge, head chef and owner of The Wilderness and the West Midland Combined Authority's night-time economy advisor; Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands, Aktar Islam, owner of Opheem, and Glynn Purnell, head chef and owner of Purnell.

21 August 2023

Compass Group UK & Ireland gifts £500,000 to fund apprenticeships in West Midlands

Largest food contractor in UK and Europe will fund apprenticeships to plug hospitality gaps in the West Midlands

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14 August 2023

Options open: Apprentices show students a different path to success

A-level results, which often determine what university students can go to, or what job they can get, will be revealed on Thursday (August 17). 

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20 April 2023

West Midlands selected as UK film and tv BFI Skills Cluster

The region is one of seven initial skills clusters which will be backed with £1 million from the BFI National Lottery Skills Fund.

See all Employment and Skills news stories