City of Wolverhampton Council’s Skills Partnerships & Pathways service, working in partnership with City of Wolverhampton College, has collaborated closely with Wolves at Work through the West Midlands Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme to create a seamless support offer for young people aged 18-21 who are not in employment, education or training.
This multi agency approach, utilising the college’s communities & employability interactive engagement activities, ensures a wide range of support is available to communities across the city, helping young people take meaningful steps towards training and employment.
Since October 2025, this joint approach has meant the college has identified 58 young people for support.
The latest outreach session took place at WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams Leisure Centre where young people took part in a Dragons’ Den–style project, working in teams to develop business ideas and pitch them to a panel of judges.
The partnership has also connected the young people to ongoing support from the Wolves at Work team and the Open Door work experience project, which identifies and supports adults and young people who are unemployed or economically inactive, offering personalised guidance, skills development, work experience opportunities and pathways into work.
Outreach work is a vital part of the Wolves at Work approach, ensuring support is delivered directly within communities across Wolverhampton.
By establishing a regular presence in priority wards including Bushbury South & Low Hill, St Peter’s & Whitmore Reans, Oxley & Bushbury North, Graiseley and Bilston, dedicated work coaches are becoming trusted and familiar faces in local venues and community settings.
Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “We recognise that some young people may not feel ready or motivated to enter an educational setting straight away, so, together with partners, we are utilising accessible activities within community spaces.
“This consistent, neighbourhood-based approach helps to break down barriers to engagement, build strong relationships with residents, and reach those who may not otherwise access city-centre services.
“By meeting people where they are, the team is strengthening community connections and ensuring that employment and skills support is accessible, visible and responsive to local need.”
Richard Hewitt, Assistant Principal – Business and Growth at City of Wolverhampton College, said: “We’ve partnered with the local authority to really drive our youth initiative for those not in employment, education and training.
“We’re partnering now with relevant organisations across the Black Country to really help give our students advice, guidance and ultimately the skills to find out what their long-term goals are from an employability perspective and help them get a career at the end of it.”