Building a Skills Hub for the next generation – Organisations Collaborate to support Birmingham’s young people

Leaders from across Birmingham gathered today (Monday 19th March) to discuss how, together, they can build a skills and enterprise hub for the next generation.

The event was attended by Councillor Brett O’Reilly from Birmingham City Council and Tim Pile, Chair of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, and was hosted by The Prince’s Trust. Those in attendance highlighted their commitment to working collaboratively to help businesses grow by building young people’s skills and self-confidence and by breaking down barriers that stand in their way.

Attendees were also treated to a sneak peek of the new Prince’s Trust centre, housed in the Cold Store in Digbeth, which is due to open by the end of March. The new centre aims to provide a safe environment in which The Trust can realise its commitment to supporting a further one million young people realise their true potential over the next decade.

Michele Farmer, Director of Central England at The Prince’s Trust, said:

Events like this are vitally important if we’re to have conversations across the public and private sectors that lead to meaningful change for our city’s young people. We are grateful to GBSLEP for its ongoing support of our new centre, and its dedication to helping us build a flexible, creative space where we can deliver programmes for local young people. We’re looking forward to opening our doors and encourage people to drop by and find out about the wide range of programmes we have on offer.

Tim Pile commented:

Supporting the ambitions of our young people, and skills development with local companies, will really help to build Greater Birmingham’s local economy. This region is already well known as a vibrant hub for enterprise, with a diverse business community. The new Prince’s Trust centre will provide a further boost for Greater Birmingham and its young people.

Councillor Brett O’Reilly, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Skills, said:

I’m really pleased to be working with The Prince’s Trust; this hub will be a great place for young people in the city to learn new skills and gain confidence to equip them for the world of work. As I’ve always said, we need to come together as a city to improve the skills of our citizens and this is a vital piece of partnership working for the benefit of our young people and the wider city.

Pictured:(l to r)Tamika Smith (Young Ambassador), Michele Farmer (PT), Tim Pile (GBSLEP), Sophie Drake (GBSLEP), Councillor Brett O’Reilly (Birmingham City Council) and Shilpi Akbar (Balfour Beatty Vinci)