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Their roles have been funded by up to £51 million of funding to deliver a 2 year Black Country Impact project that will address the barriers faced by unemployed individuals aged 15 to 29 years, supporting them to secure a brighter future.
The funders backing the project are the European Social Fund and Youth Employment Initiative, as part of the 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England, and the Big Lottery Fund which has provided "match" funding through its financing of Black Country Talent Match.
The 10 key workers will support people throughout their journey, providing advice, guidance, and customised support in securing a job, education opportunities, and routes into training to develop skills.
This will be tailored in a number of ways, including pathways to traineeships, apprenticeships, coaching, work placements, self employment advice (including social enterprises), and customised training. Help with travel, childcare and equipment may also be available.
Young people on the project will also have the benefit of careers guidance delivered by experts from the city's Connexions Service, who specialise in helping school leavers and those with special educational needs.
Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: "The expertise these ten key workers bring to Impact in Wolverhampton will make a real difference.
"There can be no doubt that these are challenging times for some young adults in the Black Country.
"Impact is determined to tackle the barriers that may be preventing some from becoming all they can.
"Through specialised services ranging from coaching to managed work placements, our work will ultimately give our young adults the best employability prospects for the future, benefiting them and our communities."
As part of the Impact project the council has also put in place an employer engagement officer whose role is to connect employers with job-ready candidates through the network of key workers.
Impact is in a position to have a wide range of influence with local employers across the Black Country to help young adults overcome barriers to employment.
A small number of 15 year olds, who are at risk of becoming NEET at post 16, will also receive assistance.
To find out how to access Black Country Impact support or for more information please Contact Wolverhampton's Impact team on 01902 554031 or e-mail Impact@wolverhampton.gov.uk
If you are an employer and want to talk about filling current or future vacancies and how the council can support you please contact please contact Julia Jackson Davies on 01902 555479 or email Julia.JacksonDavies@wolverhampton.gov.uk
- released: Thursday 8 September, 2016