Thousands of jobs created in West Midlands

Thousands of new jobs have been created in Staffordshire and the Black Country in the first six months of the year, it can be revealed today, despite tough economic conditions.

Since January, companies in our region have announced plans to take on nearly 8,000 extra workers in the automotive, manufacturing, building and the service sectors.

There have been at least 1,860 positions created in Staffordshire, 2,970 in Sandwell, 1,840 in Wolverhampton, 840 in Walsall and 340 in Dudley, sparking a mood of optimism.

Sandwell Chamber of Commerce president Ninder Johal said major events such as the Olympics and the Queen's Jubilee had created opportunities for firms.

"Despite bad news about companies unable to cope with the economic downturn, it's encouraging to see many firms are bucking the trend in Sandwell and the Black Country," he said.

Staffordshire County Council's deputy leader Ben Adams said they were developing infrastructure, like roads and enterprise centres to attract companies, with the end result being more jobs.

"We continue to provide help for small businesses, promote apprenticeship schemes and offer advice and information for jobseekers, to help local people into employment," he said.

Councillor Peter Bilston, Wolverhampton's cabinet member for economic regeneration and prosperity, said the council was working to make sure people had the right skills to get work.

"We know that the economy is still at a low but we do have some good news stories to talk about in Wolverhampton," he said.

Walsall regeneration chief councillor Adrian Andrew said: "In the economic climate we are delighted to have any job creation.

"I would like to thank all the businesses that are investing in our town and the wider Black Country.

"We are trying to create the environment to make it easier for businesses to invest.

"It seems a good number of jobs being created in this economic climate," he added.

Car maker Jaguar Land Rover is leading the way with jobs growth,building a new £355 million engine plant at the i54 business park in Wolverhampton in a move that will create 750 jobs, while BAE Systems wants to build a manufacturing base and office block close by, creating 1,000 jobs.

By David Lumb