Editor Keith Harrison: Help us be solution to jobs crisis for young
It comes as no surprise, sadly, to the people of the Black Country to discover that our youth unemployment levels are among the worst in the country.
These are our communities, we know the problems.
But that does not mean we will just accept this, that there is not a will to tackle these problem, nor should we.
These young people are the workforce of tomorrow and as communities we have a responsibility to give them a future. Which is why the partners of the Ladder for the Black Country have come together.
We believe we have a part to play in getting young people on a career ladder. The will to tackle youth unemployment starts here in our communities.
Youth unemployment has been a problem for some time and there are initiatives targeting the issue. But we still have more than 8,000 young adults in the dole queues each week in the Black Country.
The Duke of York is quite right when he calls on the businesses, the young people and communities in the Black Country to help ourselves.
The Express & Star is proud to be part of the Ladder for the Black Country, to drive home the message that apprenticeships work. They work for the businesses, they work for the young people and they work for our communities.
We are determined to reach out to young people and show them they do have a future. To help those who have not been successful in the education system, those who have found themselves unable to find work or even get interviews and to reach the disillusioned youths.
The Express & Star is appealing to parents, grans, aunts, neighbours and teachers. If you know someone who would benefit from an apprenticeship then get them to ring the hotline now.
We are proud to be working alongside the partners of the Ladder for the Black Country who have joined us in many months of planning ahead of today's launch. Those who have ensured an infrastructure is in place for businesses and apprentices that will enable us to help young people for a long time to come.
And it is with particular pride and gratitude that we thank the Duke of York for his support and for agreeing to be the patron of Ladder for the Black Country.
The problem of youth unemployment is here, in our communities, but the solution could be here too.
Join the Express & Star and the Ladder for the Black Country in helping young people out of the dole queues, into work and on that first rung of the career ladder. We need you!
