Residents are being invited to join an event to find out more about thousands of job, training and volunteering opportunities coming from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The West Midlands Combined Authority, which funds training to equip local people with the skills needed by employers, is holding a webinar this Thursday (20th May) from 1:00pm to 2:30pm, to explore the opportunities being created as part of the Games.

These include free training, funded by the WMCA, for 1,500 residents to gain new skills to help secure jobs during and after the Games. Courses include event management, digital marketing, hospitality, health, lifestyle and science, sports coaching and team leading.

So far, more than 250 people have signed up to the webinar, and places are still available. To register to join this free event, visit wmca.org.uk/yourcareer    

Speakers from Birmingham 2022, the organisers of the Commonwealth Games, the National Careers Service and the WMCA will talk about how West Midlands residents can access work, training and volunteering opportunities, the support available and how to apply. Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

“One of the main reasons I was so determined to help secure the 2022 Commonwealth Games for the region was the employment opportunities it would create across the West Midlands. The pandemic has hit our workers incredibly hard, so we must use our big wins like the Games to realise my plan of creating 100,000 new jobs in just two years.

“The Games and its legacy in the years that follow could create up to 35,000 jobs, and the impact of coronavirus means it’s more important than ever that local people are able to secure these jobs. That’s why the WMCA is funding training for the Games, and I would encourage anyone who is interested in finding out more about the jobs and training being made available to join the webinar this Thursday.”

The WMCA is funding training for 1,500 residents as part of the Commonwealth Jobs and Skills Academy, which is accelerating and amplify plans to improve regional skills and employment opportunities through the Games, with a particular focus on supporting young people and unemployed adults.

The free training opportunities, leading to Level 2 or Level 3 qualifications, are available for anyone aged 19 and over who lives in the WMCA area. For more information visit wmca.org.uk.