New training centre set to boost skills and job support for Cannock residents

Walsall College’s new training centre in Cannock is officially open.  Located at Pioneer House, Mill Street, the centre is dedicated solely to residents seeking sustainable employment.

Jatinder Sharma OBE Principal and Chief Executive, said: “We’re offering jobseekers and those in temporary work seamless access to training and work experience relating to existing vacancies in leading sectors.

He continued: “Middle skills levels such as those at Level 3 and A Level equivalent in Cannock are proportionately lower than those across the West Midlands and the UK as a whole.  We’re committed to tackling this disparity.  Our aim is to raise people’s aspirations through targeted, personalised support that leads to higher level skills training aligned to industries with growth opportunities; thereby playing our part in the area’s recovery and regeneration.”

Operating from this new training centre is the McArthurGlen Retail Academy.  The facility enables unemployed local residents to complete a pre-employment programme with direct access to vacancies at the new West Midlands Designer Outlet.

Similar pre-recruitment programmes in customer service for hospitality, warehousing, CSCS and working in care will also be available at the training centre.

In addition, residents in North Cannock who are long-term unemployed can access the college’s Connecting Communities programme.  Delivered in conjunction with the West Midlands Combined Authority, the programme offers advice and guidance to those furthest from the job market, as well as individuals retraining for new careers or in need of IT and digital skills.

Councillor Mike Sutherland, Portfolio Holder for District Development at Cannock Chase Council said: “Increasing the skills levels of our residents and improving access to employment opportunities is one of the Council’s priorities in its new Corporate Plan, to support economic recovery.

“This centre is well placed to bring together work we have been supporting in the past few years, to provide hundreds of new jobs for local people at the new Designer Outlet, the targeted approach being taken to tackle long term unemployment in our Cannock North Ward, and our overall desire to see a reduction in the skills attainment gap between Cannock Chase and its neighbouring districts. We wish this new venture every success.”

For further information about the training centre, call 01922 657015 or email cannock@walsallcollege.ac.uk