Self-employed up 367,000 in four years

The number of workers who are self-employed in their main job rose 367,000 between 2008 – the start of the economic downturn – and 2012, a new report from ONS shows today.

Kick start for teen employment

Hundreds of young people are set to benefit from more than £750,000 to help kick start their careers.

Coventry University training gets real results for Big Issue vendors

A social enterprise charity led by Coventry University has been working with Big Issue sellers in South Africa to help them develop new skills and access real work opportunities.

Showcase culturally connecting youth work this Youth Work Week

The National Youth Agency has launched a digital pack of materials in preparation for Youth Work Week 2012.

Employee productivity levels sink to new lows, says PwC research

European companies’ employee productivity levels are at a five year low, according to new research by PwC.

West Midlands entrepreneur wins career prize at graduation

West Midlands entrepreneur, Jane Dean, has been awarded the prize for Career Student of the Year 2012 at a graduation ceremony held at the University of Essex, Colchester Campus.

Employment showcase seminar

West Midlands business leaders wishing to inject fresh talent into their workplace can find out about the benefits of apprenticeships at a networking seminar.

Staffordshire company with big plans for expansion

Expansion into global markets, streamlining of supply chains and a growing desire from customers to source from the UK will all be key factors in helping a Cheslyn Hay manufacturer more than double its turnover in the next three years.

International conference looks at helping autistic people into employment

Coventry University will play host to the iSpectrum conference in June, where the use of serious games as a way to increase employability for those on the autistic spectrum will be showcased.

Birmingham to implement Living Wage Initiative

Birmingham City Council are proposing to adopt a scheme which will see some of the city’s lowest paid public sector workers receiving substantial wage increases.

Business Birmingham comment on unemployment figures

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham commented on today’s announcement that unemployment in the West Midlands fell by 19,000 in the last quarter:

Jobs boost for Birmingham

Games developer and publisher Codemasters is to create more than 100 new jobs across the Midlands

Franchise Show set for City

Potential entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit the NEC later this month to learn about new opportunities.

National Apprenticeship Week: Solihull apprentices are told “you’re hired”

St John’s first-ever apprentices are told “you’re hired” – as Solihull hotel makes recruitment process standard policy

Coventry theatre set for London award

The nomination recognises the work of Set Designer Jon Bausor who designed the ambitious and sizeable set for The Lord of the Flies,

Air Passenger Duty under attack

The World Travel and Tourism Council have again criticised the UK Government for not reforming the application of Air Passenger Duty on air travel.

Work experience success for Sandwell students

Over the last 12 months The Public in West Bromwich have welcomed over 110 students on work experience placements

Graduate interns set up new art venture

Two interns who successfully completed their internship at The Public in West Bromwich have set up a new arts venture.

Delivering Quality First

Some old words of BBC director-general Mark Thompson may come back to haunt him, notes Dave Woodhall.

If I Don’t Know You, You Are Like Air

Peter Sampson sends one of his occasional observatory letters from Beijing

Fairyjobmother does her magic in Minworth

Selco Builders Warehouse in Minworth hired Bill Rose, one of the two candidates put forward for interview by The Fairy Jobmother when the hit Channel 4 show visited Birmingham

Launch of new music, culture and learning centre in Digbeth

Birmingham’s Eastside became a melting pot of creativity earlier this month with the much anticipated launch of the city’s newest multi-purpose music studios, education and training venue

Jobs Boost for the Region

There’s been a lot of good news for employment prospects in the West Midlands and Warwickshire.

Cov grads cop jobs at JLR

Jaguar Land Rover recruitment scheme takes on 13 Coventry University graduates

Graduates to go

Graduate Advantage is gearing up to create over 1400 internships here in the West Midlands

Adept4 jobs

Adept4, an IT company, has expanded and is creating jobs in the West Midlands.