More new skills academies showcasing the opportunities apprenticeships offer could open in the West Midlands following the launch of a center in Birmingham.

The Ladder Skills Academy opened its doors in the city center last week and will offer people the chance to attend information sessions and gain hands-on experience in simulated workplaces such as a shop, cafeteria and dental office.

Now one of the partners behind the project says similar facilities could open elsewhere in the region after the launch in Birmingham to mark National Learning Week.

Rob Colbourne (below) is chief executive of West Midlands training provider Performance Through People, one of the partners in the Ladder for Greater Birmingham apprenticeship campaign which has also spearheaded the new skills academy, on Mill Street.

He said: “This takeaway center gives young people the chance to experience a work environment and the jobs done in a wide range of sectors before deciding on their future career.

“We are also provided with a room at the Library of Birmingham, as well as support from companies such as (Spar owner) AF Blakemore, the Metropolis training restaurant, Angels Day Nursery and many others.

“Our plan is to open more centers like this in the Black Country and Staffordshire. There is nothing like this, giving people choice and unbiased information and guidance on potential careers.”

The Ladder for Greater Birmingham campaign was launched in 2018 by a team of partners from across the region, with financial backing from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) and BusinessLive publisher Reach plc as media partner.

Their initial goal was to create 1,000 new apprenticeship positions by connecting job seekers with employers and training providers.

It has since passed the £3,000 mark and last week GBSLEP committed a fourth round of funding worth £50,000 to the Ladder campaign. It is also a partner in our annual Learning Awards which last took place in November.

Other Ladder initiatives have taken place in the Black Country, Shropshire and Staffordshire and a new Ladder School opened in Walsall last year.

GBSLEP also provided funding for the skills academy and Oldbury-based training provider BCTG Group provided matching funding.