Big Lottery boost for Sandwell jobless

Support scheme launched to help borough’s unemployed

A scheme to help support hundreds of jobless young people in Sandwell is being officially launched this week.

BCTG secured a slice of more than £10 million Big Lottery Fund to deliver the Talent Match programme across Sandwell targeting out-of-work 18 to 24-year-olds. Five new jobs have been created to manage the programme in Sandwell aimed at young people who are furthest from the jobs market to secure or take up enterprising job opportunities.

The Sandwell scheme and its new base are being officially launched on February 12 at The Hub, in High Street, West Bromwich. Blind Dave Heeley, MP Adrian Bailey and Sandwell’s Mayor Cllr Derek Rowley will be among guests attending the official launch at 2pm.

The event is being organised by young people already signed up to Talent Match, which is a national programme that aims to boost opportunities for young people by getting employers, education providers and local charities to work together. Chris Luty, BCTG director, said: “Talent Match is a five-year programme funded by the Big Lottery which focuses on youth unemployment. We have been selected to run the Sandwell Talent Match scheme. Other providers are running it in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Dudley.

“We will be working with young people who have been out of work, training or education for at least 12 months and who need that extra bit of support and help to break through. Every young person who joins the project chooses a mentor who supports them to become work-ready, improve their confidence and motivation, access training opportunities, work experience and more.”

The Black Country programme is managed overall by Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council and has secured support from the University of Wolverhampton, Sainsbury’s, Huf UK Ltd, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, Jhoots Pharmacy, ZF Lemforder UK and The Midcounties Co-operative.

Mr Luty added: “We are officially launching it on Thursday and any employers or young people who want to find out more about it are very welcome to come along to our base, The Hub in West Bromwich High Street to find out more.”