Young people looking for routes into employment are being encouraged to access the support available from the city's Wolves at Work 18-24 programme during this year's National Apprenticeship Week.

Wolves at Work 18-24 is a free service co-ordinated by City of Wolverhampton Council and supported by local employers and partner organisations.

The scheme aims to support the city’s young people aged between 18 and 24 into apprenticeships and employment as well as helping them to improve skills, gain qualifications, and ensure that no-one in the city is left behind.

This aim is reflected in National Apprenticeship Week, which this year runs from February 7 to 13. The week has the theme of Build the Future, highlighting how apprenticeships help people of all ages to build the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.

To help young people find out more about local apprenticeships, the council is part of a dedicated online event on Wednesday, February 9 offering information about apprenticeship vacancies, impact stories, support and guidance.

Young people, parents and carers can join the event from 4pm to 6pm when there will be details about apprenticeship opportunities in the Black Country, Birmingham and Solihull.

The event is being run in partnership with the four Black Country councils, Black Country Skills Factory, Connexions Sandwell, Birmingham Carers Hub and the Department for Work and Pensions. Access to the event is via Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership & Jobs | Learn Live | Contact Us Today (learnliveuk.com)

Currently, there are almost 3,500 people of all ages in Wolverhampton working towards an apprenticeship. The range of opportunities in apprenticeships is broad and varied and pitched at a number of different levels.

City of Wolverhampton Council supports apprenticeship programmes and since January 2021 has recruited 45 apprentices across various areas including legal, business support, electoral, children and young people, e-services and revenues and benefits.

City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, said: "National Apprenticeship Week is the ideal time to recognise the many benefits that apprenticeships bring to individual people, employers and our city’s economy.

“Apprenticeships can offer an excellent route into employment and as a council we have developed Wolves at Work 18-24 alongside local employers and other partners to develop opportunities across the city.

“We are determined to give our young people the best chances we can, whether this is through apprenticeships, helping them into employment or supporting them to improve skills and gain qualifications.

“There is also help available through our city colleges, university, employment services and through our dedicated Workbox website which offers free, one-to-one employment support and advice for local people.”

To find out more about Wolves at Work 18-24 visit www.wolvesatwork18-24.com, email wolvesatwork18-24@wolverhampton.gov.uk or call 01902 550012.

For details of all apprenticeships available, and other work and training opportunities in the city visit www.wolvesworkbox.com