£100k training hub to help hundreds get jobs in Wolverhampton

It will be based at The Marches – a 266-home development from WV Living being built on the site of the former Wednesfield High School that will see 266 new homes built and will be run in conjunction with developers Willmott Dixon and Wolverhampton College.

The Wolves at Work employment programme secured the funding, and the hub will be run in partnership with Willmott Dixon, the contractors for the housing development, and Wolverhampton College.

The funding comes from West Midlands Combined Authority after it secured £2.3 million from the government’s construction skills fund.

Richard Lawrence, Wolverhampton Council’s director of regeneration, said: “There are billions of pounds of investment on site or in the pipeline in Wolverhampton and it is important residents benefit from this.

"This training hub will give unemployed people in our city a clear route into the booming construction industry, delivering long-lasting benefits to the local community beyond the build phase.

“It will help boost local business and skills, adding to the pace of regeneration in the city while at the same time delivering WV Living homes people will love.”

It comes after it was revealed that unemployment had risen in the Black Country between December and February. Wolverhampton saw a rise of 5.6 per cent compared to the previous three months up to November, the second highest in the region behind Sandwell on 5.9 per cent

Simon Liversage, director for Willmott Dixon in the Midlands, added: “We believe we have a purpose beyond profit and that includes leaving a lasting positive legacy in the areas where we work.

“Over the duration of The Marches project we have committed to investing 10 per cent back into the local community, equating to a monetary value of £3.5 million, which will see us provide apprenticeships, work experience and NVQs to local people, as well as ensuring at least 80 per cent of local spend and labour is within 10 miles of the site.”

The council is aiming for a number of under-represented communities in the construction industry to benefit, including women and ethnic minorities.

The hub will advertise job vacancies and aims to get at least 50 per cent of those receiving training into long-term employment. People interested in opportunities at The Marches training hub can contact recruitment@wolverhampton.gov.uk