Opportunities for Black Country unemployed. 

Around 100 job-seekers turned out when a newly-opened Wolverhampton training centre opened its doors to recruit would-be coach and lorry drivers.

Staff at the new GTG Training Academy in Steelpark Way, Wednesfield, joined forces with Job Centre Plus and National Express for the one-day event aimed at employers and job seekers looking to sign up for coach and heavy goods vehicle training. The centre together with Job Centre Plus will place successful job-seekers on the free training course, to get their PVG and LVG licences, enabling them to then apply for jobs with National Express.

The new centre provides apprentice courses in business skills, computing and information technology. It also offers automotive and transport-sector training and includes a fork-lift truck driving training centre as well as 17 classrooms and an on-site cafe and restaurant.

Jon Douglass, GTG Training Academy general manager, said: “The aim of the one-day event was to get people in and signed up for free training so they are able to get their relevant driving licence and are then able to apply to National Express or other driving agencies who are looking to employ well-trained and competent drivers.”

Cathy Taylor, at Job Centre Plus, said: “The open day has gone extremely well we have had more than 70 unemployed people visit looking for training and work as drivers.”

Ken Billingham, National Express recruitment officer, said: “This is an excellent facility and it has been a great event for us with a very good turn out.”

GTG is a Scottish-based training provider, which has invested £10 million in its new Wolverhampton centre, is part of the wider BCTG training provider consortium.