Marvin OnumonuThe West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) investment board has approved £5.7m in funding for ‘Connect to Work’, a scheme designed to help unemployed young people in the West Midlands find employment.
The funding, secured by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, will initially assist up to 1,400 individuals aged 18 to 24 with health conditions in securing jobs in its first year, with the potential to support thousands more in the future.
The WMCA will collaborate with its seven constituent councils and partners to offer tailored support to participants.
It also plans to engage with local businesses to align young people with suitable job opportunities, increasing their chances to stay in employment.
Parker said: “Every person in our region should have the same access to work opportunities – including people with disabilities or long term health conditions.
“By having the same access to opportunities, everyone has the freedom to make the right choices for them – to help them earn, live independently and improve their health and wellbeing.
“The funding I have secured for the Connect to Work initiative, will support young people to do just that – helping to drive down youth unemployment and get our economy back on track.”
