The ‘Path 2 Apprenticeships’ training programme will provide young adults aged between 19 and 29 with the knowledge and skills they need to secure good apprenticeship jobs.  

Across the WMCA area, there are 24,110 young people not in education, employment, or training. The new programme will create 3,300 training places to help tackle the issue and encourage more young people into apprenticeships that lead to a job.

Path 2 Apprenticeships has been developed from a pilot scheme set up in partnership with Accenture last year, which proved highly effective in reducing the financial barriers often faced by young people when looking to start an apprenticeship.

Those on the course will receive ongoing assessment, comprehensive employer training input and foundation training in green, digital and employability skills and on completion will be offered a guaranteed apprenticeship paying at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW.)

The news was announced by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, at the Ladder for Greater Birmingham Skills Academies’ first year anniversary event and jobs fair at the Ladder Skills Academy today (Monday February 5). The announcement also coincides with National Apprenticeship Week, which runs until Sunday (February 11).

Working alongside the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), young adults will be offered training in key sectors of the regional economy that are in need of skilled recruits including construction, digital, business, engineering and manufacturing, health and social care, early years, hospitality, warehousing and logistics.

The Mayor said: “It’s good news that we’re announcing a £7.5million investment into adult skills funding over the next three years - offering young people aged 19 to 29 an opportunity to secure a good apprenticeship.

“Our Path 2 Apprenticeship programme recognises the importance of an accessible transition pathway to support young adults into apprenticeships. Working with employers in the region, the programme has been developed to enable young people to recognise and build on their talents - supporting them to pursue careers in sectors in high demand like construction, hospitality and engineering.

“Together, we can create opportunities for young people right across our region - driving prosperity for those individuals, their families and the wider economy in the months and years ahead.”

Cllr George Duggins, WMCA portfolio holder for productivity and skills and leader of Coventry City Council, added: “We know that apprenticeships are an excellent way for our young people to get into careers and gain the knowledge and experience they need to further their employment prospects.

“The Path 2 Apprenticeship programme will help support those young people who feel they need to develop some of their skills to be part of a more successful and sustained apprenticeship and encourage them to be involved in a sector that they may not have previously thought possible.

“I look forward to hearing more about how the programme has helped young people in our region to achieve their career goals.”

Path 2 Apprenticeships will help young people to decide whether an apprenticeship is the right route for them to gain employment and for employers, this provides an opportunity to recruit new talent to their businesses with a co-designed programme that enables the opportunity to gain the skills and workplace confidence needed to be successful in an apprenticeship. Path 2 also offers mentoring/coaching and pastoral support without the traditional formal assessment making it much more accessible.

The programme can offer up to 16 weeks of support and is aimed at 19 to 29-year-olds who are currently unemployed and in receipt of Universal Credit or economically inactive.

To find out more Path 2 Apprenticeships visit the WMCA website.