Jobseeker's charity set for closure unless funding found

Employment and training charity Steps to Work has been running for well over a decade will shut the JET base in King Street next month due to a shortage of cash.

The charity has helped around 35,000 people get into work from branches in Darlaston, Bloxwich and Walsall town centre.

The branch in King Street previously had been funded by the European Regional Development Fund, but the support has now come to an end.

It costs around £150,000 a year to run and funding bids have so far proved unsuccessful so it is facing closure on March 31.

Steps to Work invested more than £35,000 itself last year to keep the branch running.

Chief operating officer James Walsh said: "As it stands at this moment in time the shutters will come down on March 31.

"If funding is out there or investment we would be more than happy to look at it. There is a need for Darlaston JET.

"The work undertaken through DJET has enabled customers to develop skills, confidence and demonstrate recent work experience all of which contribute to improving the prospects of securing longer term sustainable work.

"The shop has been funded in the past and there has been a lot of work done by community partners, we would like to se that continue."

It offers a range of support including putting together CVs, completing job applications and how to search for work.

Although the shop will be closed to the public, the charity is continuing to bid for funds and will still pay for heating, power and security, amounting to around £12,500 a year, so that it can reopen immediately if funding is secured.

He added that by closing the shop it would be mothballed so they can mobilise and open immediately to deliver services in the community subject to funding being secured.

Anybody who is able to help with funding can call 01922 892047 or 01922 651870.