Awards event for Black Country Impact project that’s helped over 5000 young people from Walsall

Friday, 23 June 2023 16:43

On 14 June 2023 Walsall Council hosted a celebration event for the Black Country Impact Walsall programme, where participants, as well as local employers, training providers and support services were awarded for their contributions to the project. The awards event marks the end of the programme, which wraps up delivery at the end of July.

A number of young people received awards in recognition of their achievements, while project partners including Walsall College and Learnplay Foundation were among those awarded for their outstanding contributions to the Impact programme.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration at Walsall Council, said:

“It was a fantastic evening celebrating some brilliant achievements. The Walsall Impact programme has provided invaluable assistance to over 5000 individuals who were previously unemployed or inactive. Through tailored interventions and support, over 3200 participants have received the guidance they needed to overcome obstacles and achieve positive outcomes. We are proud to share that more than 1800 participants have successfully secured employment, returned to full-time education, or earned accredited qualifications, marking significant milestones in their personal and professional journeys. We are immensely proud of the young people who took part and I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in making the programme such a success.”

The Impact Programme, a collaborative effort between the four Black Country Councils as well as Black Country Talent Match, started in 2016 to address the barriers faced by unemployed individuals aged 15-29. The aim of the programme is to reduce youth unemployment in the region and empower young people to reach their full potential.

Black Country Impact Walsall owes its success to the dedicated teams of specialist advisors from various fields, including Employment & Skills, Adult Social Care, Money Home Job, and Children’s Services. These teams have provided bespoke advice and support, addressing the unique needs of the project participants and removing barriers that hindered their ability to achieve their full potential.