A year in the life of North West City Jobs
End of term report
The timing of the closing celebrations for SRB6 is perfect as it is nearly One Year to the Day that North West City Jobs was launched. In that time, in spite of having to spend the first three months recruiting staff and establishing an operational base, we are able to report real progress.
Our Business Liaison Team has engaged with over 50 businesses within Birmingham. These include the Police; LiDL and Asda supermarkets; Subway outlets citywide; IndiVeg; Star City Casino; Birmingham City Council Corporate Recruitment; retailers in the Bullring including 'Best Seller & Fiorelli', and most recently, Wickes DIY chain.
Community engagement
North West City Jobs has organised a number of local jobs fairs and they have all been held in the heart of the community. This is important to us as it offers local people real access to local jobs in a familiar setting. Venues have included:
Matthew Boulton Primary School
- NCH (Winson Green)
- Handsworth Association of Community Help
- Summerfield Community Centre
- Cherry Tree Surestart Centre
- Anglesey Primary School.
Working with community & voluntary groups
The project is working closely with the community and voluntary sector to ensure we access and work with residents from all ethnic minority communities, and this has been reflected in the take-up of services. Strong Partnership links have been forged with many community organisations, including the African Caribbean Millennium Centre, Community Roots Enterprise Centre, the UK Asian Women's Centre and the Nishkam Centre – and many of the training courses have been held at these venues to attract local residents.
The Community Involvement & Training coordinator is also working closely with grassroots groups, many of which represent disadvantaged and isolated communities that otherwise suffer social exclusion. Examples beyond those already mentioned include the Indigo, BEST, Lozells Recreation Group and Surestart Lozells & Handsworth.
Access to courses
NWCJ has made a significant impact on many fronts. The project has supported over 100 people to access customised training courses (which have accredited qualifications and many get two or three') and so far over 50 local residents have gone into full time employment. The project has been able to improve the confidence level of local residents, increased career aspirations and motivation to work. This project is a positive vehicle to support people into work and ensure local residents have first hand opportunities into accessing local vacancies.
For a full report, click here (pdf)
