Walsall Employment and Skills Pathfinder project discussed

During her recent role as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Chloe Smith MP attended a meeting at Walsall College to hear how the Employment & Skills Pathfinder Project is helping young people on Universal Credit improve their prospects.

The Walsall Pathfinder is providing additional skills and wraparound support for 16–29 year-olds in the Walsall Youth Hub and a cohort of all age Universal Credit (UC) recipients living in St. Matthews and Birchills Leamore Wards.

The Walsall Partnership is made up of National Careers Service, West Midlands Combined Authority, Walsall Council, the College, whg, One Walsall, as well as the DfE & DWP, along with representation from the local university and schools.  They are all working together to achieve greater alignment to the delivery of employment and skills interventions across the Borough.

Chloe Smith MP said: “It was brilliant to visit the Walsall Employment and Skills Pathfinder and learn more about how the Government is working with local partners to ensure that Universal Credit claimants can easily access the information and skills provision they need to achieve their potential.”

The Pathfinder was commissioned in response to the Government’s levelling up white paper.

Employment and Skills Pathfinders were set up in 2021 in three selected areas – Walsall, Blackpool and Barking and Dagenham.