Hat-trick for Walsall jobs pilot

A Walsall pilot to support local people into jobs has scored a hat trick, after three participants landed apprenticeships.

Works + was launched by Midlands based housing association whg to help job seekers aged 25 or over gain the experience they need to kickstart their careers. The pilot, funded by WMCA and in collaboration with Walsall Works through the Community Renewal Fund, offers up to four months paid work placements to local unemployed people.

Now three of those have been offered apprenticeships with whg. Carris Randall, Cassie Thompson and Tina Perry, who are all customers with the housing association, have now started their training programme and are hopeful that it will lead to a permanent position.

Carris, who is working within whg’s employment and skills team, said: “When  this opportunity came up I thought I should try it as it would help me get into a completely new area of work.  I really enjoyed the whole placement and got to learn so many new skills –  I cried when I was offered the apprenticeship.”

Apprentice Tina said: “I used to be a cover teacher but always felt something was missing. The programme has transformed my life – it’s amazing whg offer this kind of opportunity.”

Former cleaner Cassie said: “I was looking for a new direction and career and wanted to learn something different. I was delighted to get the job – the whole programme has been fantastic.”

whg’s Director of Community Investment Julie Haywood said: “We had huge success supporting young people into work through the government’s Kickstart scheme, and were keen to replicate that success by running a programme aimed at older customers.

“This pilot scheme has helped us give more local people the chance to learn new skills and I’m delighted that we have been able to offer apprenticeship positions to three of the participants.”