Firms rush to climb Black Country Ladder

Scores of business leaders from across the region got their first taste of the scheme at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce's annual exhibition at a packed Wolverhampton Racecourse.

Campaign partner Kevin Davis, chief executive of the Vine Trust, gave an introductory speech, urging businesses to work together and get on board.

He also revealed that the Duke of York had agreed to be a patron of the campaign and will visit the Express & Star in Wolverhampton next week.

Then, the Express & Star's brand and communication manager Chris Leggett told delegates that by creating new apprenticeships they could help rescue a generation of young people who are being 'left behind'.

After a flurry of interest, 10 more companies expressed interest in signing up to the campaign at the event and are now in talks to take on apprentices.

Eighty apprenticeships have already been pledged by Accord Group, Walsall Housing Group, Ikea, and the Express & Star.

Ladder for the Black Country partner Gill Durkin, business development director for Performance Through People, said: "There has been an excellent response and we have had interest from organisations who want to get involved in all sorts of ways.

"We have had plenty of businesses sign up – it has been a real success.

"Once we sit down and talk with some of the companies we will know how many overall the event has created.

"But the pledges we have already received is fantastic."

See also: 'I tried for 1,500 jobs' says apprentice.

Margaret Corneby, chief executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: "Apprenticeships have had their ups and downs, especially with employers, but I think there is an awful lot of good work and some very good success stories to inspire young people.

"It is time we raise that profile.

"The Ladder for the Black Country is not about all those companies that already have apprenticeships, it is about encouraging all those businesses that have never thought about them," she added.

"The are a lot of companies out there who think it is too much paperwork or time to take on an apprentice.

"But what the Ladder for the Black Country has done has created a clearing centre – making it that much easier because all the hard work has been done.

"And it makes it easier for those looking for work because the ladder is creating opportunities for them."

Chris Leggett, the Express & Star's brand and communication manager, told business delegates: "We are proud partners in the Ladder for the Black Country and one of the big questions people may be asking is why now?

"No matter how much the economy begins to pick up the big issue around here centres on young people.

"There is a generation of young people who are being left behind."

He added: "Apprenticeships are important because it means those in need will not be left behind."

Ninder Johal, president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and member of the Local Enterprise Partnership, is also backing the campaign.

At the public launch he said the Black Country needed to close a skills gap so its economy could grow to its potential.

He said: "We all know that the Black Country is renowned for its aerospace and automobile industries. Yet over the last 30 years there has been a period of de-industrialisation.

"But now manufacturing is on the up and the Black Country is on the up.

"As the Chamber, we want to double the Black Country economy in the next 10 years.

"What we need to do is make sure all sectors have employees with the skills to meet the demand.

"We understand that there is a skills gap – and the Ladder for the Black Country will help address that."

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, deputy leader of Walsall Council, said: "The Ladder for the Black Country is a really good initiative and the first thing I want to do is applaud those who have brought the campaign to the Black Country. The partnership approach is the way forward and for us as Walsall Council, we want to up our game to have more jobs for people.

"That there is the outcomee we want."

Campaign partner Kevin Davis added: "We have had a great response from business leaders from across the sectors.

"The way we will succeed is that we all work together.

"We are all committed to making the Black Country a great place to live, work and play.

"It is great to see the Express & Star lead the way by taking on five new apprentices, who have already started work, and to see other businesses follow their lead.

"We now look forward to welcoming the Duke of York to the Black Country at the Express & Star next week on his first outing as patron of the Ladder for the Black Country campaign."

The number of young people out of work in the Black Country is the highest in the country, with more than 8,000 18 to 24 year-olds in the dole queues each week.

We have joined forces with a team of training and business experts to launch the Ladder for the Black Country apprenticeships campaign.

We are appealing to companies large, medium and small to take on at least one apprentice and help get the Black Country's young adults working.

And we are urging young people to grab this opportunity to learn, to train and to take the first steps of their working lives and get on the career ladder.

Official figures show youth unemployment in the Black Country is more than double the national average, with Wolverhampton having the longest dole queues in England.

Sandwell, Walsall and Dudley also all feature in the top 12 youth unemployment black spots in the country.

Prince Andrew has campaigned to raise awareness of the youth unemployment crisis for some time and championed apprenticeships. A decline in industry and the closure of work training schemes has seen today's 18 to 24 year-olds finding it harder than ever before to get on the job ladder.

The biggest obstacle faced by young people is a lack of work experience, and one of the greatest concerns for businesses is the low number of skilled employees.

Apprenticeships can provide a solution to both of these issues by giving young people their first step on the ladder to skills and experience. The economy has shown signs of recovery and unemployment is falling, with the overall number out of work just over two million.

But youth unemployment still stands at around 800,000 across the country.

Accord Group, which is a housing and care provider, has pledged to take on 50 apprentices under the Ladder for the Black Country campaign banner over the next three years.

Group chief executive Chris Handy said the company is keen to recruit its own customers to get them into skilled jobs.

Walsall Housing Group has also pledged to take on 10 apprentices – adding to its annual intake of an in-house repairs team. And Ikea in Wednesbury will take on 15. Over the past five years more than 60 apprentices have worked at the store in association with the Vine Trust.

And five journalism apprentices started work at the Express & Star on Monday as part of an 18-month paid work scheme in association with Wolverhampton College.

Our partners comprise Walsall-based charity the Vine Trust, which has a track record of taking on apprentices and giving young people a chance of a skilled job.

They also include training provider Performance Through People and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

A dedicated website and call centre has been set up by PTP. Both young people interested in apprenticeships and businesses looking to take on apprentices can call the Ladder for Black Country hotline on 0332 409 699, or go to the website ladderfortheblackcountry.co.uk