Almost 13,000 work experience, training, and apprenticeship opportunities have been pledged by employers across the West Midlands, marking a major milestone in Mayor Richard Parker’s Youth Employment Plan.
The pledges are part of the Mayor’s ambition to create 20,000 opportunities over the next three years, a key commitment in his Growth Plan to reignite the region’s £77 billion economy. The initiative aims to tackle youth unemployment, which remains double the national average in areas such as Walsall, Wolverhampton, and Birmingham, where around 28,000 young people are currently unemployed.
The Mayor’s plan guarantees that every young person in the region will have access to training, education, careers guidance, and work readiness programmes, helping them take their first step into meaningful employment.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has invested £7.5 million into the Path 2 Apprenticeships programme, helping young people explore whether apprenticeships are the right route for them, while giving businesses access to new talent.
The Growth Plan also includes:
- £30 million for local skills initiatives
- £10 million for bespoke training in high-growth sectors like green tech, advanced manufacturing, and construction
- £10 million for AI skills training
- £10 million to build a more inclusive skills system, supporting marginalised communities including disabled people
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker 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.”
Image credit: iStock
