Sandwell Council will this week get behind the launch of the Backing Young Britain campaign. Picking up the challenge to create 1,000 apprenticeships and 500 work experience opportunities, Sandwell Partnership has brought together employers from the public, private and voluntary sectors to launch Backing Young Sandwell.

A business breakfast on Wednesday(MARCH17) at the Public in West Bromwich, marks the launch of the campaign in Sandwell.

Key local employers, including West Midlands Fire Service, the Hadley Group and Sandwell Homes, will appeal to the business community to put Sandwell at the forefront of Backing Young Britain.

The response to the initial appeal has been so positive that Sandwell Partnership believes that the website to be launched in April – appealing to young people to register their interest – will be the first of its kind in the country.

Sandwell Cabinet member for regeneration and transport Cllr Bob Badham said: “This shows a genuine commitment to get young people in the borough on the career ladder and into work.”

Gary Bowman, director of Sandwell Partnership, said: “The campaign was launched to encourage employers to respond to the challenge we face, to help our young people break that vicious circle of ‘no experience – no job’.

“But the business community in Sandwell wanted to do more – and that’s why we’ve decided to take backing Young Sandwell a stage further with the launch of a website that takes our appeal directly to the young people we want to help.”

The website will allow young unemployed people aged between 16 – 24 years old, to register as being interested in taking the chance to gain skills and experience.

Everyone who registers will then be contacted by employment services specialists who will work with each person on a one to one basis, to find an opportunity that could open the door to a new career.

Department for Work and Pensions Minister for Employment Jim Knight said: ” “Congratulations to Sandwell Partnership for showing leadership with their local Backing Young Britain campaign and for helping to give young people a foot on the career ladder.

“They are helping local organisations to tap into the great source of potential of Sandwell’s young people and access Government support to ease the process of recruitment.”