BirminghamLive is today launching an ambitious campaign to create 1,000 new apprenticeships roles across the city and Solihull.
We have teamed up with community development group The Vine Trust and training provider Performance Through People to spearhead a campaign which is aiming to secure new futures for unemployed people across the two areas.
Called Ladder for Greater Birmingham, it forms part of a wider campaign to create 10,000 across the country which have received some high-profile backing, including from the Duke of York Prince Andrew.
The 'Ladder' programme has already enjoyed success across Staffordshire and the Black Country and is now being extended to Birmingham and Solihull.
The initiative is appealing to all companies and organisations, from the smallest niche firms to the largest corporations, to get involved and give someone a new start and some real career prospects.
But we are also calling out to young people and the unemployed to take this chance to learn a profession or trade and embark on a new chapter in their lives.
The Ladder will operate a hub supported by the local enterprise partnership, managing a hotline and website matching service, connecting potential apprentices with employers.
Over the coming months, we will be profiling those companies which have taken the first steps on the path to changing the lives of people across Birmingham and Solihull as well as meeting those inviduals who have found a fresh start.
Kevin Davis, chief executive of The Vine Trust and Ladder chairman, said: "Following our experience in the previous Ladder campaigns, we are confident that a cross sector partnership is an effective approach to achieve an ambitious vision for preparing potential apprentices for life and the workplace."
Rob Colbourne, managing director of Performance Through People, added: "The Ladder initiatives have had such a positive impact.
"Who would have thought an idea over lunch could result in over 2,000 candidates gaining employment or upskilling through the Ladder.
"We now have a fantastic opportunity to expand into the Second City and support the Government's target of achieving three million apprentices by 2020."
Marc Reeves, editor-in-chief of BirminghamLive, said: "We delighted to get behind this initiative and we're sure the success it has already achieved in other parts of the West Midlands can be replicated across Birmingham and Solihull."
For more information about Ladder for Greater Birmingham and to get involved visit www.ladderforbirmingham.co.uk or call 03332 409 699.
Campaign has royal seal of approval
The Duke of York Prince Andrew has been a very active supporter of the Ladder initiatives.
Speaking at an event to celebrate the creation of more than 3,000 apprenticeships, he described them as "a catalyst to creating more jobs for young people".
HRH spoke as it was announced that the Ladder Foundation and its 'Ladder for England' campaigns have been set up to develop the scheme across the country and a new Ladder school is set to open in Walsall in January.
He called for small businesses in the regions to take on apprentices.
The Duke of York said: "One apprenticeship makes a huge difference to an individual but if you have managed to do more than 1,000 you have momentum and that will keep going because those businesses will come back for more apprentices.
"The first one is probably more difficult to manage because it is a learning experience.
"Once they have the mechanisms to take an apprentice, they will take another one and another.
"I can say with a good degree of certainty that those people who have taken on an apprentice and given them full-time employment have grown as a result because it has allowed businesses the extra capacity to grow."
The Duke paid tribute to the campaign for raising awareness of the importance of apprenticeships as a viable alternative to higher education.
"I don't think there's a single young person who is not grateful for the experience they have had on an apprenticeship," he added.
"The Ladder campaign has raised so much awareness that there is a method of getting to young people who may not necessarily be dead-set on becoming a university graduate that there are other options."
Region's leaders throw support behind campaign
Three senior figures from the West Midands' business and civic community are backing the Ladder for Greater Birmingham initiative.
Chris Loughran, High Sheriff of the West Midlands and deputy chairman of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP, added: "Getting people from our wider community into apprenticeships is a vital part of delivering on our ambition for inclusive growth in the region.
"I am keen to support your efforts and promote the ladder across the West Midlands."
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street wished the campaign every success.
"Apprenticeships are a great way to give young people and adults the skills they need to develop successful careers," he said.
"We are working closely with employers across the West Midlands to encourage more businesses to invest in skills to help secure their future competitiveness."
Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: "Having heard how the Ladder brand has had a positive impact in supporting employers recruit and upskill their staff through apprenticeship programmes, I am delighted the Ladder for Greater Birmingham is being introduced to our vibrant city and surrounding areas.
"We would like our members to consider how apprenticeships could be part of their plans for recruiting future skills, meeting their labour needs and of course offering opportunities that can change people's lives."
