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Award success for Walsall training project

Posted on 26 March 2009.

Left to right: Pat Newland, Premier Business Park, Ruby Wax, Shaune Calame, Steps to Work.

A Walsall-based project providing practical work experience for unemployed trainees has been recognised at a prestigious local awards ceremony.

The project, delivered by local training charity Steps to Work (Walsall) Ltd in partnership with Premier Business Park, Walsall, won the ‘Walsall Partnership Collaboration Award’ at this year’s Walsall Lifelong Learning Awards, held at Banks’ Stadium.

The project has been developed through the partnership forged between the charity and Premier Business Park with the support of Black Country Chamber of Commerce and Jobcentre Plus and was recognised as a great example of how successful partnership working between local businesses and training providers can provide real benefits and opportunities to local unemployed people.

The project was praised for giving unemployed people the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on work experience at Premier Business Park by undertaking grounds maintenance work on the park’s various green spaces and to showcase their skills and abilities to potential local employers. The strength and commitment of the partners to making the project work was also highlighted as one of the reasons for its success.

To date, the project has successfully assisted over 39 trainees on the Environmental Task Force programme. The success of the project is also encouraging other unemployed people to join the scheme and it is hoped that more job opportunities will be created over time as the project develops.

Pat Newland, Chair of Premier Business Park says: “We’re delighted that the project has won this award and been recognised for giving local unemployed people the opportunity to gain new skills which will help make them more employable. Everyone involved in the project should be proud of their achievements.”