A campaign launched to create new apprenticeships across Birmingham and Solihull has received a fresh round of funding.
The Ladder for Greater Birmingham is now targeting 1,000 new apprentice starts after securing £50,000 in backing from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP).
This is the fourth round of funding from the LEP for the Ladder which was set up to connect employers with training providers and apprenticeship candidates across Birmingham and Solihull.
Since its launch, it has welcomed 3,000 apprenticeship starts and this latest funding round will support recruitment following a decline in apprenticeship starts in Birmingham and Solihull since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The announcement of the new funding follows swiftly on the launch this week of the new Ladder Skills Academy in Birmingham city centre.
The new facility has been created to enable potential apprentices to learn about the career options and gain some hands-on experience in a series of mocked up workplaces such as a dentist's surgery, shop and café kitchen.
GBSLEP chief executive Henriette Breukelaar said: "As an employer-led organisation, our skills strategy has always worked to provide a pipeline of training to match the needs of local and regional employers.
"Our investment for the next phase of the Ladder for Greater Birmingham will help people of all ages looking to gain the skills and experience they need to secure good quality jobs with local businesses.
"The Ladder for Greater Birmingham has been a key to the delivery of GBSLEP's strategy to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
"Having a skilled workforce will help local employers survive and thrive in the harsh economic climate."
Ladder for Greater Birmingham chairman Kevin Davis added: "Having enjoyed the support of GBSLEP since we launched, we are delighted they have agreed to fund the next phase of our work creating opportunities for employment and training.
"Like us, GBSLEP recognises the step up which apprenticeships can make on the ladder of opportunity for people young and old.
"Building on the opening of the new Skills Academy, which the LEP has helped to fund, the Ladder can work towards our shared mission of increasing the quality of life for all their residents."
