The City of Wolverhampton Council and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) employment programme, established in January 2017, has now helped more than 4,000 local people into work.
The number has doubled in just one year, and around 45% of those gaining employment are aged 18 to 29.
More than 400 businesses have also pledged their support to Wolves at Work and, as well as providing employment opportunities, have welcomed 723 people into Sector Based Work Academies, and 381 into work experience.
Head of Skills, Angela McKeever, said: “This is great news for the city and I am delighted Wolves at Work is making a major impact in terms of delivering jobs for local people.
“There is £3.7 billion of investment on site or in the pipeline in the City of Wolverhampton and it is important local people benefit from the jobs and growth being generated.
“We knew there were lots of people out there who were motivated and wanted to work but finding places for them and ensuring they had the support once in work is absolutely critical to the success of the project.
“It is also great to see the diversity of the people we are helping. There are lots of people from different backgrounds in different businesses – everything from retail to building, from public administration to health and social care.
“A huge range of jobs have come up for people and a wide range of people have gone into those jobs.”
Kevin Downing, aged 58, Wolves at Work client, said: “I spotted Wolves at Work were advertising jobs on Facebook.
“They helped me understand the interview process, telling me how to present myself and how to ask questions – and I got a job with Kingdom.
“It’s the aftercare Wolves at Work provide once you’re in a job, more than anything, that has helped me, especially after being unemployed for seven months.
“I’ve got great support from my work coach, Sharon, and everyone else at Wolves at Work – they’re always there when I need them.
“If it wasn’t for Wolves at Work I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
Helene Dearn, DWP Black Country Service Leader, said: “I’m immensely proud of the work that has gone into Wolves at Work achieving 4,000 people into work through the Wolves at Work programme.
“It is a really great example of us working in partnership to create great opportunities for local residents.
“Meeting the individuals who have been helped by Wolves at Work is absolutely what this is all about, being able to hear their stories and what a difference it has made to their lives.”
Employers have committed to Wolves at Work in different ways, with pledges of work experience and to recruit local people and train workforce mentors.
Work coaches are on hand to help local people get work ready and provide support to employers in recruitment and ensure new recruits thrive in the workplace.
Anyone interested in local jobs or employers needing recruitment support in the City of Wolverhampton can register at Workbox.
