Sign up for email updates
Minister joins Mike at "fantastic" local Youth Hub
Mike Wood MP joined by Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP, on visit to Dudley Youth Hub
Mike Wood MP joined by Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP, on visit to Dudley Youth Hub
The Minister for Employment joined Mike to praise staff at the Merry Hill-based Dudley Youth Hub who are opening “new doors and rewarding career opportunities” for 16–29-year-olds across the Dudley Borough.
As Member of Parliament for Dudley South, Mike was joined by Mims Davies MP, Minister for Employment, on a visit to the Dudley Youth Hub which has helped more than 240 local young people to develop their skills and access new career opportunities since the Hub opened last July.
Mike said:
“It’s hard to believe it’s already been 6 months since we were here opening this fantastic new Youth Hub at Merry Hill.
“Since then, staff have worked so hard to deliver the tailored support which makes such a difference in opening new doors and rewarding career opportunities for our younger people – and I really want to thank all of the coaches and the other staff for their hard work.”
Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP said:
“It was fantastic to meet staff at Dudley Youth Hub and thank them in person for their continued hard work.
“We are giving young jobseekers across the West Midlands the support they need to find employment and access vital training, so they can address any barriers and build their confidence.
“We’re delivering for Jobseekers across the UK as part of the Plan for Jobs, and recently announced a new drive to get half a million people out of work into jobs by the end of June as part of the Way to Work campaign.”
The Hub is a collaborative effort set up by the Department for Work and Pensions in partnership with Dudley Council, Dudley College of Technology and West Midlands Combined Authority.
Youth Hubs share spaces with partners including colleges, charities, training providers and local councils, meaning people can access a range of services in one location.
The Hub at Black Country Skills Shop, which is part of Dudley College of Technology, offers practical advice and support to young people aged 16-29 who are unemployed or at risk of losing their job, or leaving school, college or university.
Services available to young people include advice from work coaches, links with local employers, access to valuable six-month work placements through the Government’s Kickstart scheme, and other opportunities such as apprenticeships and full-time study.
Commenting on the work of the Skills Shop, Neil Thomas, Dudley College of Technology’s Chief Executive Officer and Principal said:
“The College has a long track record of supporting adults through its work at the Merry Hill Skills Shop, so the creation of the Youth Hub was a natural extension of our work. The partnership working with Jobcentre Plus, DWP and Dudley Council means we are to bring together local services that support young people into work or opportunities for retraining.
“Working with employers in the centre itself and across the borough who currently have job vacancies, we are delivering training courses for adults leading to employment – which is a win- win for everyone. I’d encourage anyone who is looking to find a new role or make a change to drop into the centre to see what we have to offer.”
Tuesday 15th February 2022
It’s hard to believe it’s already been 6 months since we were here opening this fantastic new Youth Hub at Merry Hill.
Since then, staff have worked so hard to deliver the tailored support which makes such a difference in opening new doors and rewarding career opportunities for our younger people – and I really want to thank all of the coaches and the other staff for their hard work.