News
MNA-backed Ladder provides the skills for region to thrive
A fresh wave of apprentices are set to be taken on as part of the region’s flagship Ladder campaign.
In recent years thousands of people across our region have landed jobs thanks to the Ladder scheme, which calls on businesses to take on young people and invest in their future.
Launched in 2014 through a partnership set up with the Midland News Association, the Ladder aims to help people gain the hands-on work experience they need to get started in their chosen careers.
It also provides a highly trained workforce for businesses, bridging a skills gap which many firms say holds them back.
The project encompasses the Black Country, Staffordshire and Shropshire.
Hundreds of employers from both the public and private sectors have taken on apprentices through the campaign, including Dudley Council, Wolverhampton Council, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Ikea, Alucast, CDS Group and A.F. Blakemore.
The initiative – which has gone nationwide – is being pushed by the Express & Star, Shropshire Star training provider Performance Through People (PTP), local authorities, regional business leaders and Kevin Davis, chief executive of The Vine Trust Group.
Mr Davis is also chair of governors at Walsall Studio School, which is pioneering the new T-Levels qualifications and opened a Ladder school in January on the back of the success of the campaign.
He said: “We are delighted to be continuing this great initiative and it is great to have the support from politicians, commerce and our media partners.”
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, who visited Dudley College and Walsall Studio School to see apprentices in action, said: “It is great to see the Express & Star and Shropshire Star leading the way in terms of bringing educational institutions and employers together to give opportunities to so many young people right across the Black Country, Staffordshire and Shropshire.
“This makes a real difference to people’s lives. When we look at apprenticeships, so many more people are wanting to get an apprenticeship today, because they realise the ability to learn and earn at the same time is truly a great thing.
“It’s really about providing the skills for the future, so businesses right across the region continue to thrive and grow.”
Last year the Ladder was hailed as a gamechanger in the House of Commons by Dudley North MP Ian Austin.
He said the relaunch was “great news for the whole region”.
“What Kevin Davis, the Vine Trust and the Express & Star have achieved is remarkable and this new work will make a huge difference to the lives and prospects of thousands of local people,” he added.
“We need to make education and skills our number one priority to attract new industries and well-paid jobs to replace the ones we’ve lost in traditional industries, help local businesses grow, give youngsters a first class start and help adults get new jobs too.
“Imagine how much better off Britain would be if every local paper was doing this important work.”
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, said: “Apprenticeships offer young people a fantastic opportunity to earn and learn, whilst getting that crucial first step onto the career ladder. Not only are they a brilliant resource for those looking to get into work, but they are also important to the West Midlands economy as they help businesses develop skills.”
