I've landed my dream job driving West Midlands trams aged 59

Chris Bruce, 59, from Halesowen, had been caring for his mother who was living with dementia and had mobility issues for 18 years. 

When Chris' mother sadly passed away in 2019, Chris didn't feel like he had the relevant skills and lacked the confidence to get back into work.

However, following a visit to the Job Centre, Chris discovered the Sector-based Work Programme (SWAP) at Dudley College of Technology, soon joining a course to be a tram driver.

 Now, after completing the course, Chris' life is heading in a fantastic new direction, as he gains a new role as a full-time tram driver with West Midlands Metro.

Talking about the career change, Chris said: "I was caring for my mother until she passed away in 2019. Then Covid struck and I was caring for my two younger children during the various lockdowns.

“I started looking for work in March 2023 but I knew my employment skills were outdated and this hit my confidence. I couldn’t see a way forward where I would be at work.

"Since I was a little boy I’d always wanted to be a tram or train driver so when I was told about the Midlands Metro SWAP I decided to give it a go.

“When I was offered the job the six-year-old in me was running around the room screaming with excitement!

"Being successful with West Midlands Metro has opened a new door in my life and I have felt supported at every step. I know this doesn’t have to be the end of my career path."

Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said Chris' story is 'an inspiration to us all', also admitting to returning to later-years education himself.

Mr Parker said: "I returned to learning at a later stage and often it just takes someone to believe in you to make a difference - it was this belief and encouragement from others that helped launch my career.

"I want everyone to have access to good jobs and careers which is why my priority is to train up our workforce and bring more jobs into our region so that everyone has the opportunity to get on in life."

Chris' determination throughout the course also earned him the Learning for Work Adult Learner 2024 award. Mr Parker presented the award to Chris, along with Birmingham-born Eastenders actor, Nicholas Bailey.

Ruth Tretherwey, curriculum manager at the Dudley College of Technology, said: "When Christopher joined the programme, you could see he was lacking in confidence. 

"He worked hard to overcome his anxiety and started to believe that he may be able to achieve his goal to become a tram driver. 

"The effort he has put into his training had paid off. And now he looks forward to his future with West Midlands Metro."

To find out more about the skills courses on offer across the regions, visit the WMCA website.