FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009

Neighbourhood Employment and Skills Plan

Great Bridge (2008 – 10)

1 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 NEIGHBOURHOOD EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS PLAN (NESP) FOR GREAT BRIDGE WARD, SANDWELL

1. Introduction

1.1. Name of Neighbourhood/Ward Covered

This Employment and Skills Plan is for Great Bridge ward. Great Bridge is one of three wards in Town in the northwest of the borough. For the purposes of this Plan, the pre-2004 ward boundary has been used, because this is the area that has been used in the calculation of the Sandwell Local Area Agreement (LAA) ward targets. Further, the analysis undertaken to identify priority wards across the borough was based on data for pre-2004 ward boundaries. Most official economic data is also based on these boundaries.

Fig. 1: Tipton Town’s Ward Boundaries, with Great Bridge Ward Highlighted

1.2. Vision and Purpose

The City Strategy’s purpose is to provide a single Employment and Skills Plan for each priority ward, bringing together the work of the local authority, JobCentre Plus (JCP) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The aim is to equip local people with the necessary skills and competencies for sustainable employment and to provide employers with an adequate supply of labour to meet their current and future skill needs.

2 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 1.3. Relevant Local Group

The Employment and Skills Panel is responsible for managing the delivery and scrutiny of the NESPs. This entails consultation with partners and the local community, providing a forum for examining delivery.

There is a clear report back mechanism on the progress via the Economic Regeneration and Skills Division so that groups can see that their views are taken into account and acted upon. Where delivery gaps occur the Sandwell Partnership will take responsibility for overcoming them.

2. Analysis of Need in the Neighbourhood

2.1. Labour Demand – Employment Profile

Great Bridge is ranked fourth out of all Sandwell wards in terms of number of jobs located in the ward. Male employment within Great Bridge ward is fairly similar to the borough average. Female full-time employment is slightly lower than the borough average while female part-time employment is the same as the borough average.

Fig. 2: Employment in Great Bridge Great Bridge % Sandwell % Male Full-Time 54 51 Male Part-Time 7 6 Female Full-Time 19 23 Female Part-Time 21 20 Total 100 100 All Male 61 57 All Female 39 43 Total 100 100 All Full-Time 72 74 All Part-Time 28 26 Total 100 100

Base 9,031 126,104 Source: ABI 2006/NOMIS

Figure 3 shows ‘Distribution, hotels and restaurants’, to be the largest employment sector in Great Bridge ward, with a significantly higher number of people employed in this sector than in the borough.

Although the data provides an idea of employment opportunities within the ward, it should be noted that the area within which the ward’s residents work will be much wider than this (for further information see the Travel to Work section, page 5).

Fig. 3: Industry of Employees, 2006 Employees- Employees- Industry Group Ward % Sandwell % 1 : Agriculture and fishing (SIC A,B) - - - - 2 : Energy and water (SIC C,E) - - - - 3 : Manufacturing (SIC D) 1,602 19.0 27,873 22.4 3 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009

4 : Construction (SIC F) 1,653 19.6 7,075 5.7 5 : Distribution, hotels and restaurants (SIC G,H) 2,919 34.5 29,135 23.4 6 : Transport and communications (SIC I) 299 3.5 7,611 6.1 7 : Banking, finance and insurance, etc (SIC J,K) 985 11.7 16,058 12.9 8 : Public administration, education & health (SIC L,M,N) 862 10.2 27,636 22.2 9 : Other services (SIC O,P,Q) 131 1.6 9,121 7.3 Total 8,451 100 124,509 100 Source: ABI 2006/NOMIS. Some values suppressed due to confidentiality restrictions (Statistics of Trade Act 1947). Totals and percentages given are of the non-confidential data only.

Please note that Figure 4 relates to the industry in which Great Bridge residents work, as opposed to Figures 2 and 3 which relate to employment in workplaces based within the ward. The industry employing the greatest number of residents in 2001 was ‘Manufacturing’ which employ higher proportions than Sandwell. ‘Wholesale, retail and repair of motor vehicles’ was also a sector employing a high proportion of people in the ward.

Fig. 4: Industry of Residents in Employment, 2001 Number in Industry Group ward % Sandwell % All people 16-74 in employment 5,036 Agriculture, hunting, forestry 18 0.4 0.3 Fishing 0 0.0 0.0 Mining and Quarrying 5 0.1 0.1 Manufacturing 1,568 31.1 26.0 Electricity, gas and water 57 1.1 0.9 Construction 342 6.8 6.3 Wholesale & retail, Repair of Motor Vehicles 1,033 20.5 18.7 Hotels and Catering 178 3.5 4.2 Transport, Storage and Communication 338 6.7 6.8 Financial Intermediation 100 2.0 2.9 Real Estate, Renting & Business Activities 422 8.4 9.4 Public Admin. & Defence 162 3.2 4.1 Education 210 4.2 6.0 Health & Social Work 427 8.5 10.3 Other 176 3.5 4.1 Source: 2001 Census, Key Statistics - People in employment aged 16-74

Self Employment

Self employment is not necessarily to be taken as an indicator of good economic health for either the locality or the individual. It can represent an individual’s inability to find employment opportunities in the area. However, current government policy is based on the premise that economic activity contributes to overall output of the local economy and that a locality with a low level of economic activity is not fulfilling its full potential.

Information and data on this aspect of formal economic activity is difficult to obtain at ward level and estimates as to the size of Sandwell’s informal economy remain as 4 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 elusive as ever. At this time it is unclear as to how throughput data in relation to enterprise support is to be obtained as the region’s new Business Link delivery model is not yet up and running. The 2001 Census of Population shows Great Bridge to have 315 people in self employment, or 4.2% of the 16-59/64 year old population. This proportion is below the borough average and less than half of the national rate (9%). This gives the ward the 4th lowest rate of self employment of the 24 wards in Sandwell (2001 Census of population).

Local Employers

Significant local companies in and around the ward are:

• Target Clean ( LTD), Ryders Green Road • Asda, Great Bridge Street • E.ON UK PLC Central Networks, Toll End Road • Mitsui Babcock Energy Ltd, Birmingham New Road • JBS Industries Ltd, Ryder Street • Laird Security Hardware Ltd, Ryder Street • MTM Ltd, Ryder Street • Avery Berkel Ltd, Ryder Street

Opportunities

Tipton is generally losing employment to housing. There has been a large amount of residential development in the Tipton area in recent years and this is set to continue. There are several proposed developments with planning permission in Great Bridge. Larger residential developments are proposed or under construction at New Road/Horseley Heath, Great Bridge High Street, Brickhouse Lane South, Upper Church Lane and Toll End Road, equating to approximately 190 properties. The main new development for potential employment in the ward is the new retail unit and industrial units on the Muntz site near Great Bridge town centre. Other potential opportunities exist nearby in neighbouring wards. These include several new industrial units in Oldbury (on the Autobase Industrial Estate and Hainge Road), two new units at Delta Point in and a new asphalt plant and ancillary facilities in Wednesbury. The ward will should benefit from the proposed Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro line.

Travel To Work Activity

There are 1,098 residents of Great Bridge who also work in the ward. Another 6,491 workers travel into the ward to work while 3,963 travel out of the ward to work. This results in an overall net flow of workers commuting into the ward of 2,528.

Within Sandwell, the largest proportion of people commuting into the ward come from neighbouring Tipton Green and Princes End. Great Bridge residents commuting to other parts of Sandwell tend to travel to neighbouring wards and also to Oldbury and West Bromwich Central which have considerable employment opportunities.

Large numbers of people travel to work in Great Bridge from and smaller numbers come from Birmingham, and Wolverhampton. Of the Great Bridge

5 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 residents travelling outside the borough to work, the majority travel either to Birmingham or Dudley.

Fig. 5: Journey to Work Movements within Sandwell Work in Great Bridge Live in Great Bridge Origin No. % Destination No. % Abbey 35 0.9 Abbey 3 0.1 Blackheath 57 1.5 Blackheath 35 1.0 Bristnall 64 1.6 Bristnall 3 0.1 Charlemont 163 4.2 Charlemont 31 0.9 Cradley Heath and Old Hill 38 1.0 Cradley Heath and Old Hill 25 0.7 Friar Park 115 2.9 Friar Park 13 0.4 Great Barr 80 2.1 Great Barr 13 0.4 Great Bridge 1,098 28.1 Great Bridge 1,098 32.8 Greets Green and Lyng 192 4.9 Greets Green and Lyng 224 6.7 Hateley Heath 175 4.5 Hateley Heath 60 1.8 Langley 79 2.0 Langley 38 1.1 Newton 91 2.3 Newton 9 0.3 Old Warley 42 1.1 Old Warley 0.0 Oldbury 89 2.3 Oldbury 280 8.4 Princes End 354 9.1 Princes End 148 4.4 Rowley 69 1.8 Rowley 11 0.3 Smethwick 39 1.0 Smethwick 21 0.6 Soho and Victoria 20 0.5 Soho and Victoria 71 2.1 St. Pauls 47 1.2 St. Pauls 113 3.4 Tipton Green 401 10.3 Tipton Green 316 9.4 Tividale 159 4.1 Tividale 18 0.5 Wednesbury North 122 3.1 Wednesbury North 101 3.0 Wednesbury South 262 6.7 Wednesbury South 354 10.6 West Bromwich Central 111 2.8 West Bromwich Central 366 10.9

Fig. 6: Journey to Work Movements into and out of Sandwell Work in Great Bridge Live in Great Bridge Origin No. % Destination No. % Dudley 1,124 30.5 Dudley 488 28.5 Birmingham 559 15.2 Birmingham 469 27.4 Walsall 542 14.7 Walsall 289 16.9 Wolverhampton 487 13.2 Wolverhampton 229 13.4 South Staffordshire 202 5.5 Cannock Chase 28 1.6 Cannock Chase 67 1.8 Solihull 28 1.6 Wyre Forest 62 1.7 South Staffordshire 28 1.6 Solihull 55 1.5 Lichfield 53 1.4 Bromsgrove 48 1.3 Redditch 43 1.2 Wychavon 40 1.1 Telford and Wrekin 39 1.1 Stafford 34 0.9

6 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009

Worcester 34 0.9 Tamworth 31 0.8 Malvern Hills 22 0.6 North Warwickshire 22 0.6 Bridgnorth 20 0.5 Source: 2001 Census, Special Workplace Statistics Movements into and out of Sandwell tables only show counts over 20 but percentages are based on all movements between the ward and outside Sandwell.

Accessibility of Job Opportunities

Sandwell MBC is intending to model the accessibility of key employment opportunity sites for Great Bridge residents. In particular, this will include mapping and analysis of the employment destinations people are able to access, within an ‘acceptable’ timeframe, on public transport.

Vacancy Information Locally by Sector

The data for vacancies (notified to JCP) by sector by ward are published monthly. Vacancies in Great Bridge ward since July 2007 have been spread mainly across the ‘Banking, finance and insurance etc,’ sector. However, it is widely recognised that a high percentage of vacancies are not advertised either through JCP or other channels. In the manufacturing industry, employers may choose to use word of mouth through friends and relatives. Employment Agencies are widely used for temporary vacancies. If there is a significant recruitment agency presence in a ward or adjacent ward that advertise vacancies through JCP, the NOMIS data may be misleading as they will serve employers over a wide geographical area.

Fig. 7: Notified Vacancies by Industry July 2007- July 2008 5 : Distribution, 8 : Public 6 : Transport and 7 : Banking, finance 1 : Agriculture and 2 : Energy and 3 : Manufacturing 4 : Construction hotels and administration,educ Date communications and insurance, etc fishing (SIC A,B) water (SIC C,E) (SIC D) (SIC F) restaurants (SIC ation & health (SIC (SIC I) (SIC J,K) G, H) L,M,N)

Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % July 2007 0 0 7 5 14 9.7 4 3 9 6.2 37 25.5 52 35.9 21 14.5 August 200700.00033.13333.13536.14849.555.2 September 2007 0 0.0 0 0.0 9 7.6 0 0.0 13 10.9 5 4.2 86 72.3 6 5.0 October 2007 0 0 0 0.0 11 10.5 7 6.7 20 19.0 6 5.7 57 54.3 4 3.8 November 2007 0 0 0 0.0 8 15.7 3 5.9 5 9.8 7 13.7 25 49.0 3 5.9 December 2007 0 0 1 1.1 6 6.7 3 3.4 3 3.4 0 0.0 69 77.5 4 4.5 January 2008000000.017426.700.01066.700.0 February 2008 0 0.0 1 0.6 5 2.8 13 7.3 84 47.5 5 2.8 69 39.0 0 0.0 March 20080024713.281523.823.83056.623.8 April 2008 0 0 36.236.21 2 612.5714.62654.212.1 May 2008000076.4002926.600.06963.343.7 June 2008 0 0 1 1.0 4 4.2 1 1.0 12 12.5 2 2.1 76 79.2 0 0.0 July 2008 000044.20088.311.08285.411.0 Source: JCP (from NOMIS) These figures are not a comprehensive measure of all vacancies. Notification of vacancies varies over time, according to occupation and industry and geographical area. Changes to JCP vacancy handling procedures have lead to a discontinuity in the statistics pre and post May 2006.

Additional (Anecdotal) Information from Local Stakeholders (with any Evidence)

The Tipton Town Team feel that the socio-economic profile of the Great Bridge ward will continue to change radically over the next couple of years as new housing 7 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 developments see the arrival of residents from elsewhere. There is as a result, a concern that long standing problems will become hidden and remedial interventions from partners, targeted elsewhere.

JCP have provided some information for Tipton Town, within which Great Bridge ward is situated. The Tipton town area contains a significant amount of warehousing, distribution, manufacturing and care type employers. This has been changing over recent years with a decline in much of the traditional manufacturing industries and growth in the care sector. Currently the large employers within the area are Carphone Warehouse and J T Firth.

JCP have noticed that a lack of previous experience gained by Tipton residents has prevented the filling of many vacant skilled positions. Although the growth of the Care sector has created jobs, many residents do not have the skills or experience to fill them.

The number of vacancies notified to JCP has shown a steady increase. However, a major barrier to work is experience, and others highlighted include basic skills levels, attitude to work, rates of pay (the benefit trap), previous debt, transport and employers flexibility to hours (childcare).

Social skills would help to get a large number of vacancies filled within the Tipton area. There is also a feeling that benefit surgeries would help to give people an understanding of ways in which they could engage with employment without reducing their income.

There is a need for permanent jobs within the area that have a degree of flexibility to support the needs of the local people. Training opportunities available to employees would also help to address the skills gap.

In the future it is likely that there will be advances in technology in companies impacting on the labour market requirements. It is thought that additional training and qualifications will be needed for the future.

2.2. Welfare Reform

JCP are embarking on major reforms to their services during 2008 and 2009. These changes will have implications nationally but will also impact on the roll out of the NESPs.

Pathways to Work and initial changes affecting lone parents were implemented in April. Pathways to Work concentrates on assisting Incapacity Benefit (IB) claimants into work. In Sandwell this programme is delivered by Seetec a private provider but in other parts of the country this is delivered by a range of voluntary sector providers or direct by JCP.

Major changes are being implemented in terms of lone parents. A lone parent whose youngest child is aged 12 or over will no longer be entitled to receive income support solely on the grounds that they are a lone parent. From October 2009 the maximum age of the youngest child reduces to 10 and then further reduces in October 2010 to 7. Six monthly work focused interviews have been introduced for all lone parents (and for partners of JSA customers who are parents) along with greater opportunity 8 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 of contact with employers through Options and Choices events. Once a lone parent starts work they can also receive In Work credit payments, receive continued support from their adviser and access the In Work Emergency Discretionary Fund.

In terms of improving support to disabled people Ministers have met following a public consultation. The existing support includes the Job Introduction Scheme, Work Preparation, WORKSTEP, Access to Work and specialist advice from Disability Employment Advisors. It is felt however that further support is required in terms of identifying, securing and retaining employment. The further changes will come into effect in October 2009.

In October a range of changes to out of work benefits were announced. The Better off in Work Credit, which is aimed at ensuring those people who move into full time work are better off financially, than they were on benefits by at least £25 per week, will be available to all those currently in receipt of benefits. However this entitlement will only be available for 26 weeks. In addition the amount of Child Maintenance that parents can keep before it affects their benefit will increase to £20 per week. The biggest change is the introduction of the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) which will replace IB and Income Support. This will include a new Work Capability Assessment focusing on what work/roles people can do rather than what jobs their conditions prevent them doing. ESA will provide extra help to assist those people who can work into employment and additional support to those who really cannot be expected to work.

In April, Flexible New Deal will be launched (Sandwell will be one of the initial 28 districts). This revised regime will include back-to-work group sessions for customers claiming JSA, targeted personal adviser interviews from the 13 week point for some customers, plus more mandatory interviews and a basic skills assessment for all customers from week 26.

Data source: Changing Times, how the welfare system is being reformed – JCP

Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs)

LEPs were launched by JCP in 2007. The target set is to achieve 100,000 jobs nationally through LEP interventions by April 1999. They rely on a simple principle that matches priority customers who have been supported in becoming work ready with employers who have vacancies. In Sandwell, Sandwell MBC are the preferred deliverer of the job training element on behalf of the LSC which is currently funded through the Deprived Area Fund (DAF). Already as a result of the initial 5 LEPs 28 formerly unemployed people have moved in full time employment. Additional people have been taken on through work trials so this figure is expected to increase.

A successful model has been developed which involves initial engagement with the employer to determine their needs, i.e. the type of skills, training and competencies required. Then a training plan was developed to provide relevant and tailored training which is tendered out to local training providers (this includes all the Working Neighbourhood Fund (WNF) Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities (NLDC) and DAF partners, many of which are voluntary community sector organisations). This is also useful to the local economy as it increases the availability of training contracts within the borough. The next stage is to hold a series of Open Days where candidates are referred through JCP. Following an initial sift, candidates 9 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 are entered onto the pre employment training course which then leads successful candidate to guaranteed interviews. During the process the employer has large amounts of contact with the candidates which assist in ensuring the candidates are clear on what is required.

Experience is showing that due to the success of the scheme the same employers are returning with further rounds of recruitment so that the same process can be used to fill further vacancies. Another measure of the schemes achievement is that SMBC have submitted a number of candidates into the national LEP awards.

2.3. Labour Supply – Client Profile

The population profile of Great Bridge is fairly similar to the borough averages in terms of age and gender as shown in figure 8.

Fig. 8: Population by Age and Gender Great Bridge Sandwell Population No. % % Total number of people 12535 Total Female: 6402 51.1% 51.8% Total Male: 6133 48.9% 48.2% Aged 0-4: 837 6.7% 6.4% Aged 5-15: 1901 15.2% 15.3% Aged 16-24: 1170 9.3% 10.5% Aged 25-29: 928 7.4% 6.8% Aged 30-44: 3018 24.1% 22.1% Aged 45-59: 2058 16.4% 17.3% Aged 60-74: 1692 13.5% 13.8% Aged 75 and Over: 931 7.4% 7.7% Source: 2001 Census, Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2003

Great Bridge ward has a lower proportion of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) residents of working age than the borough average, as shown in figure 9.

Fig. 9: Working Age Population (16-59/64) by Ethnic Group Great Bridge Sandwell Ethnic Group No. % % White (inc. British; Irish; Other White) 6646 88.8% 79.1% Mixed (inc. White and Black Caribbean; White and Black 65 0.9% 1.3% African; White and Asian; Other Mixed) Asian or Asian British: Indian 418 5.6% 10.3% Asian or Asian British: Pakistani 116 1.6% 2.8% Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi 20 0.3% 1.1% Asian or Asian British: Other Asian 30 0.4% 0.8% Black or Black British: Caribbean 144 1.9% 3.5% Black or Black British: African 9 0.1% 0.3% Black or Black British: Other Black 8 0.1% 0.3% Chinese or other ethnic group: Chinese 18 0.2% 0.2% Chinese or other ethnic group: Other Ethnic Group 9 0.1% 0.2% Source: 2001 Census, Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2003

Economic Activity in Great Bridge is fairly similar to the borough averages, but with slightly higher unemployment for both males and females, as shown in figure 10.

10 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009

Fig. 10: Economic Activity Great Great Bridge Sandwell Britain (numbers) (%) (%) (%) All people Economically active 5,487 73.3 72.9 76 In employment 4,923 65.8 66.2 71.6 Employees 4,608 61.5 61 62.6 Self employed 315 4.2 5.2 9 Unemployed 564 10.3 9.3 5.8 Males Economically active 3,136 80 79.9 81.4 In employment 2,757 70.3 71.4 76 Employees 2,514 64.1 63.3 63.1 Self employed 243 6.2 8.1 12.9 Unemployed 379 12.1 10.7 6.5 Females Economically active 2,351 65.9 65.5 70.3 Employment 2,166 60.8 60.6 66.9 Employees 2,094 58.7 58.5 62.1 Self employed 72 2 2.2 4.8 Unemployed 185 7.9 7.5 4.8 Source: Census of Population (Table CAS028 - Sex and Age by Economic Activity) NB Percentages are based on working age population, except unemployed which is based on economically active.

Worklessness in Sandwell

The levels of worklessness in the tables below relate to the number of unemployed and economically active people in each priority group (as opposed to the rate). They represent a measure of the relative scale of worklessness within each ward. Rate data within wards is potentially less useful for the subgroups. For example, a ward with a small number of lone parents, a high proportion of whom are workless, would show up as having a major problem, even though the actual numbers of workless lone parents are small.

Great Bridge is shown to have a relatively high number of people who are workless and in the aged over 50 and no qualifications groups.

Fig. 11: Worklessness Level by Quartile Workless level by quartile (1=highest) BME Over 50 No Qualifications Lone Parents Abbey 2 4 4 4 Blackheath 4 2 3 2 Bristnall 3 1 2 3 Charlemont 3 4 4 4 Cradley Heath and Old Hill 3 3 3 2 Friar Park 4 2 1 1 Great Barr 3 3 4 4 Great Bridge 3 1 1 3 Greets Green and Lyng 2 3 2 3 Hateley Heath 2 2 1 2 11 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009

Langley 2 3 3 4 Newton 2 4 4 4 Old Warley 4 3 3 3 Oldbury 1 4 4 4 Princes End 4 1 1 1 Rowley 4 2 3 2 Saint Pauls 1 2 1 1 Smethwick 1 3 2 1 Soho & Victoria 1 4 3 1 Tipton Green 1 1 1 1 Tividale 4 4 4 3 Wednesbury north 3 2 2 2 Wednesbury South 2 1 2 2 West Bromwich Central 1 1 2 3 Source: 2001 Census of Population/Research Sandwell calculation. Worklessness defined as unemployed plus economically inactive population minus retired population.

Great Bridge has a higher proportion of benefit claimants than the borough. In February 2008 there was a 2.1 percentage point difference between Great Bridge and Sandwell on the rate of claimants of the 4 Key Benefits.

Fig. 12: Benefit Recipients Feb-07 Feb-08 2007 2008 % of % of Rate Working Working Differential Age Age from Great Bridge Number Population Sandwell Number Population Sandwell Sandwell Total 1,910 23.5 21.6 1,890 23.3 20.8 1.9 2.5 Job Seeker 380 4.7 4.9 335 4.1 4.2 -0.2 -0.1 Incapacity Benefits 880 10.8 9.3 890 11.0 9.3 1.5 1.7 Lone Parent 300 3.7 3.3 285 3.5 3.2 0.4 0.3 Others on Income Related Benefit 75 0.9 0.8 70 0.9 0.8 0.1 0.1 Total on the 4 Key Benefits 1,635 20.1 18.3 1,580 19.5 17.4 1.8 2.1 Disabled 80 1.0 1.3 85 1.0 1.3 -0.3 -0.3 Bereaved 30 0.4 0.4 30 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.1 Carer 165 2.0 1.7 195 2.4 1.7 0.3 0.7 Source: DWP Working Age Client Group, 2006 mid year population estimates Benefit Recipients, WACG February 2007/February 2008 (NOMIS)

Great Bridge has a higher proportion of people claiming IB than the borough, however, other benefits are fairly similar to the borough average. The DWP data in this table shows Great Bridge to have a slightly lower proportion of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) claimants than Sandwell. The ONS JSA claimant data (Fig.14) shows Great Bridge to be slightly higher than the borough average at February 2008; this is likely to be largely a result of the different methods of data collection and different denominators.

12 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009

Fig. 13: Total Benefit Claimants by Gender and Age, February 2008, Percentages Great Bridge Sandwell Male 51 50 Female 49 50 16 – 24 15 25 – 49 51 50 and over 34 Source: DWP Working Age Client Group, February 2008 (NOMIS)

A slightly higher percentage of males are benefit claimants compared to the borough average.

NB: The JCP concentrated ‘Pathways to Work’ for new and repeat IB customers, will be introduced throughout the by the early 2008. Existing IB customers will be able to volunteer to participate in the programme. As there is a high proportion of ward residents currently in receipt of IBs, there is a need to consider interventions that add value to main stream services and encourage residents to take advantage of these.

JSA Claimant Count

Figure 14 shows that the gap between Great Bridge and Sandwell on the JSA claimant rate has fluctuated but at August 2008 had almost closed again.

Fig. 14: Claimant Unemployment

Claimant Unemployment e

6.0

5.0

4.0

3.0 2001

2.0

1.0

0.0

% of working age population mid-yr estimat mid-yr agepopulation working of % 7 7 7 7 7 0 0 0 0 08 08 08 -07 - -08 l-08 ul-0 g- p- b-08 u g- J ct ec- ar-08 ay un- J Mar-07Apr-07May-07Jun-07 Au Se O Nov D Jan-08Fe M Apr- M J Au

Great Bridge Sandwell West Midlands Region Great Britain

Source: ONS Crown Copyright Reserved (from NOMIS) Rates Calculated using 2001 mid year estimate working age population (16-59/65)

Great Bridge has a higher proportion of residents claiming JSA for short periods (up to 6 months) compared to the borough average and a lower proportion claiming over longer periods. 13 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009

Fig. 15: JSA claimants by duration of claim, July 2008 Great Bridge Sandwell Great Britain Number % % % Up to 6 months 260 75.5 71.5 72.8 Over 6 months up to 12 months 45 13.8 16.7 15.7 Over 12 months 30 10.6 11.8 11.5 Source: Office for National Statistics (NOMIS) Percentage of total claimants July 2008.

Figure 16 shows that over the period 2006-08, the IB claimant rate in the ward has remained stubbornly above the borough level and the gap appears to be widening.

Fig. 16: IB Claimant Rate February 2006-08

Incapacity Benefit Claimant Rate February 2006-08

12.0

10.0

8.0

6.0

4.0

2.0

0.0 % of working age population mid-yr estimate 2006

06 -06 06 06 06 07 -07 07 07 07 08 g- - g- - pr ct ec- pr ct ec- Feb- A Jun-06 Au O D Feb- A Jun-07 Au O D Feb-

Great Bridge Sandwell

Source: DWP, Working Age Client Group, Benefit Recipients February 2006- February 2008/ 2006 mid year population estimates

More men claim IB in the ward than females and the majority of claimants have been claiming for over 5 years. The most common reasons for claiming are muscoskeletal disease and mental disease – this trend can be found across most of the City Strategy wards.

Fig. 17: Breakdown of IB Claimants, February 2008 Number % total claimants 900 benefit : incapacity benefit 825 benefit : severe disablement allowance 75 age : 16-24 45 5.0 age : 25-49 430 47.8 age : 50 - 59 285 31.7 age : 60 and over 140 15.6

14 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 gender : male 535 59.4 gender : female 365 40.6 duration : up to 6 months 100 11.1 duration : 6 months to 1 year 50 5.6 duration : 1 year and up to 2 years 85 9.4 duration : 2 years and up to 5 years 180 20.0 duration : 5 years and over 485 53.9 duration : unknown - - disease : mental 300 33.3 disease : nervous system 45 5.0 disease : respiratory or circulatory 95 10.6 disease : muscoskeletal 215 23.9 disease : injury, poisoning 60 6.7 disease : other 185 20.6 Source: DWP Working Age Client Group, IB and Severe Disablement Allowance Recipients (NOMIS), February 2008.

Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) are geographical areas with an average population of 1500, which were first used in the Census of Population 2001.

There is one particular LSOA in Great Bridge that has significantly more benefit claimants than the others – this covers part of the New Town/Horsely Heath area (LSOA E01009979).

Fig. 18: Working Age Client Group (Benefit Claimants) by LSOA, February 2008 Lower Super Job Incapacity Lone 50 and Output / Total Carer Others Male Female 16 - 24 25 - 49 Seeker Benefits Parent over Data Zone Area E01009976 135 25 60 15 15 5 65 70 25 60 50 E01009977 185 35 85 25 15 5 90 95 25 95 65 E01009978 275 50 125 35 35 10 135 140 50 135 90 E01009979 335 65 170 50 25 15 170 165 45 180 110 E01009980 250 40 125 30 30 15 125 125 30 130 90 E01009981 255 55 110 45 25 5 135 120 40 135 80 E01009982 235 35 110 45 20 10 115 120 30 130 75 E01009983 220 30 110 35 20 10 110 110 30 110 80 Source: DWP, Working Age Client Group, Benefit Recipients February 2008 NB: Proportions haven’t been calculated due to the potential for error. This is because numbers involved are small and rounded estimates have been used for the population baseline.

15 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009

Fig. 19: Great Bridge Ward (pre 2004) showing the 2001 Census LSOA

Attainment

In 2001, Great Bridge had a significantly higher proportion of residents with no qualifications than the borough average. Unfortunately the 2001 Census is the most recent data available at ward level.

Fig. 20: Qualifications of the working age population, 2001 Great Great Bridge Sandwell All people aged 16-74 Britain (numbers) (%) (%) (%) No qualifications or level unknown 5,085 57.3 52.6 35.8 Lower level qualifications 3,245 36.6 37.7 43.9 Higher level qualifications 541 6.1 9.7 20.4 Source: 2001 Census, Office for National Statistics (ONS), Census Area Statistics Table CAS032 - Sex and Age and Level of Qualifications1 by Economic Activity

1 Qualifications: The term ‘no qualifications’ describes people without any academic, vocational or professional qualifications. The term ‘lower level’ qualifications is used to describe qualifications equivalent to levels 1 to 3 of the National Key Learning Targets (i.e. GSCEs O levels, A levels, NVQ levels 1-3). The term ’Higher level’ refers to qualifications of levels 4 and above (i.e. first degrees, higher degrees, NVQ levels 4 and 5, HND, HNC and certain professional qualifications). 16 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009

The 2007 Indices of Deprivation, though based on 2001 Census data, provide a useful comparison of the level of skills according to LSOA. One LSOA in Great Bridge is ranked in the worst 10% for skills and two are ranked in the worst 10%- 20%. The highest level of skills deprivation is in E0100979 (New Town/ Horsely Heath) which also had the highest number of benefit claimants (See Figure 18). Therefore the skill level in this ward may act as a barrier to employment and may be a factor which affects the level of benefit claimants.

Fig. 21: IMD 2007 Skills Sub-domain: Working Age Adults (Aged 25-54) in the Area with no or low Qualifications (NVQ1 or below): Rank by Sandwell Decile Rank LSOA (1=worst 10%, 2=10%-20% etc) E01009976 9 E01009977 6 E01009978 2 E01009979 1 E01009980 5 E01009981 3 E01009982 5 E01009983 2 Source: IMD 2007/ Research Sandwell calculation

2.4. Other Issues – Health, Income etc.

Health

Great Bridge ward has a life expectancy at birth for males and females combined of 74.1 years (using 2004 – 2006 data), which is significantly lower than the national average for England of 79.5 years. This is the lowest life expectancy of all the wards in Sandwell.

The new ward of Great Bridge2 had the highest death rate in Sandwell in the period 1996-2000 and this position improved only slightly in 2000-2005 to give the ward the second highest death rate. This is significantly higher than the Sandwell average rate and indicates underlying health problems within the ward which could be affecting employment and skills issues.

In addition, the 2001 census showed that Great Bridge has a higher percentage of residents who have limiting long term illnesses and are not in good health than the borough average.

Fig. 22: Limiting Long-Term Illness and Health 2001 Not in Good Health and Total With Limiting long- Not in Good with Limiting long-term Population term illness Health illness Number 12357 2768 1592 1413 % of total pop 22.4 12.9 11.4 Sandwell % 21.2 11.7 10 Source: 2001 Census, Office for National Statistics, 2003

2 Electoral Wards, 2004 Geography

17 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009

Deprivation

Fig. 23: Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007

Great Bridge scores fairly badly on the IMD. One LSOA is in the worst 5% in the country. The majority of the LSOAs score in the worst 20%, although one LSOA fairs relatively well, falling in the worst 50% category. Great Bridge does not score well in the Education, Skills and Training domain, with six LSOAs in the worst 5%. It also scores poorly in the Living Environment domain.

Migration

The number of migrant workers in the West Midlands has increased markedly since 2002 and especially since 2004 when labour market migrants from the A8 countries were granted access to the UK labour market. A study of the economic impact of migrant workers in the West Midlands3 identified that findings at a national level were replicated regionally. Thus the study found that immigration is beneficial to the economy overall, although there is anecdotal evidence that there may be some localised negative effects, in particular local areas and labour market segments. No statistical data is available at ward level.

NEET

Young people who are classified as ‘Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)’ have been identified as a national priority. Sandwell has a high proportion of young people within this group.

3 Institute of Employment Research, University of Warwick and BMG Research for WMRO, 2007 18 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009

A number of initiatives are taking place at a borough wide level to address these issues. Examples of these interventions are:

• Connexions Personal Advisors – for all young people aged 13-18 • Vulnerable Young Peoples Group • Young Offenders Initiative – Occupational Tasters for 16-18 NEET • Raising Aspirations – Occupational tasters and training for young parents NEET • BME Targeted Support

Great Bridge has been identified as a ‘hotspot area’ for young people NEET. Additional Personal Advisors have been appointed to Alexandra High and Sixth Form College to provide outreach sessions for this group.

Using Black Country Connexions data from 2008, Research Sandwell has produced local estimates of the proportion of 16-18 year olds in the NEET group. Please note that the estimates may differ from official published data.

These estimates show that Great Bridge has a NEET rate of 7.8% compared to Sandwell’s rate of 7.3%. This is the 9th highest rate amongst the 24 wards in Sandwell.

2.5. Summary of Issues/Needs

• Great Bridge ward is one of the major providers of employment in the borough. It is ranked fourth in terms of number of jobs.

• There is an overall net flow of workers commuting into the ward of 2528 – including large numbers of people travelling to work in Great Bridge from Dudley.

• Great Bridge ward has a lower proportion of BME residents of working age than the borough average.

• Great Bridge is shown to have a relatively high number of people who are workless and in the aged over 50 and no qualifications groups.

• Great Bridge has a higher proportion of IB claimants than the borough and the gap appears to be widening.

• The JSA claimant rate is only slightly higher than the borough rate.

• Great Bridge has a higher proportion of residents claiming JSA for short periods (up to 6 months) compared to the borough average.

• More men claim IB in the ward than females and the majority of claimants have been claiming for over 5 years.

• There is one particular LSOA in Great Bridge that has significantly more benefit claimants than the others – this covers part of the New Town/Horsely Heath area. There is a need to clearly target areas such as this. 19 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009

• In 2001, Great Bridge had a significantly higher proportion of residents with no qualifications than the borough average

• Great Bridge ward has major health problems with the lowest life expectancy rate of all Sandwell wards and a death rate significantly higher than the borough average.

• Great Bridge scores fairly badly on the IMD. One Super Output Area (SOA) is in the worst 5% in the country and the majority of the SOAs score in the worst 20%.

3. Current Service Provision and Summary of Effectiveness

This section (shown in Appendix 1) outlines current employment and skills focused services located/delivered in the neighbourhood and those serving the neighbourhood.

Appendix 1 also includes mainstream activities, e.g. New Deal, Employment Zones and IAG/Nextsteps provision. Due to the current economic climate it has not been possible to obtain an accurate impact assessment relating to Sandwell’s interventions under the City Strategy categories. Moreover, the annual targets presented owing to change are under review (see section four: Targets below).

Voluntary Sector

The voluntary sector is involved in the delivery of City Strategy initiatives. Sandwell MBC has worked with the voluntary sector to ensure they gain the associated Quality Marks to ensure a minimum standard.

4. Targets

The LAA targets have been reviewed for 2009/2010. The worklessness agenda within the LAA will be superseded following the introduction of the Multi Area Agreement (MAA) expected in the summer 2009. Appendix 2 has the most up-to- date targets but will be subject to change.

5. Gap Analysis

A gap analysis will be ongoing and undertaken by the Employment and Skills Panel which is responsible for reporting the impact of service provision.

20 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 6. Action Plan

6.1. To improve the collective client service offer to workless residents of Great Bridge ward, Sandwell will need to consider how it can deliver a programme that includes as a minimum, the following enhanced elements wrapping around existing mainstream employment support programmes:

• Initial action planning • Identification of personal needs • Skills needs analysis • Travel to interview and work support • Provision of bespoke training linked to specific vacancies • Into work training entitlement to NVQ Level 2

This will improve progression routes for individuals to and through the network of locally available employment support provision by setting up a locally focused caseload management function to coordinate client engagement and referral across all local provision.

This is the key action highlighted by the Employment and Skills Panel:

Representatives of the ward (Councillors, Town Teams etc.) need to look at section 2.5 ‘Summary of Issues/Needs’ and explore local evidence that explains any unusual trends.

Pathway to Employment are to be used to address the higher employment rate for those suffering from health problems.

Targeted interventions on key estates are to be introduced to decrease worklessness.

7. Performance Management Framework

7.1. Outcome / Impact Monitoring

The performance management structure that underpins the delivery of the City Strategy in Sandwell is as follows:

• Sandwell Economic Regeneration Partnership (SERP): The SERP will be primarily concerned with monitoring the delivery of the LAA and remediating any delivery issues

• Employment Group: This will be the local management group and comprises senior council officers and middle managers from JCP and LSC.

• Employment and Skills Panel: These groups will receive the NESPs for information and provide ward level intelligence etc.

21 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 Sandwell MBC Programmes and Performance Group is tasked with monitoring the borough’s LAA at the highest level, along with the appropriate council Cabinet Advisory Team.

It should be noted that currently, significant changes are underway in terms of the neighbourhood structure in Sandwell The Town Teams will be superseded by the Communities Unit, which will comprise of a Neighbourhood Manager for each town and three Community Development Managers to work across the borough.

7.2. Output Monitoring (by Activity/ Service/Provider)

Progress in delivery of the City Strategy NESPs will be via the quarterly reviewing system used to monitor the Sandwell Economic Plan. The Quarterly Review is initially received by the SERP for decision making and approval, then presented to the Councillor of Employment Skills and Partnerships. Each intervention deliverer will be responsible for providing data from which to report progress.

8. Contacts, Acknowledgements and Appendices

8.1 Contacts

The production of Sandwell's NESPs has been undertaken by the Economic Regeneration & Skills Division and Research Sandwell.

For enquiries relating to the City Strategy, contact:

Kim Mocroft, Employment and Skills Service Manager Tel: 0845 352 1255 Fax: 0121 569 3131 Email: [email protected]

For all other enquiries, please contact the NESPs project officer:

Andy Bywater, Economic Regeneration Strategy Manager Tel: 0121 569 3083 Fax: 0121 569 3131 Email: [email protected]

8.2 Acknowledgements

This NESP was produced with the assistance of the following individuals:

Amna Ali - Learning and Skills Council Lyndon Bracewell - Sandwell MBC, Economic Regeneration & Skills Division Mel Chillingworth - Research Sandwell Jane Cole - Sandwell MBC, Economic Regeneration & Skills Division Kate Collins - Research Sandwell Katherine Hewitt – Greets Green New Deal for Communities James Holmes - Research Sandwell Kim Mocroft - Sandwell MBC, Economic Regeneration & Skills Division Helen Peach - Sandwell MBC, Economic Regeneration & Skills Division 22 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 Adele Philips - Sandwell MBC, Economic Regeneration & Skills Division Simon Plumbe - Sandwell MBC, Economic Regeneration & Skills Division Gurjeet Rajania - Research Sandwell Ann Thomas - Sandwell MBC, Economic Regeneration & Skills Division Marcus Whiting - Sandwell MBC, Economic Regeneration & Skills Division Mohammed Yafai - Sandwell MBC, Economic Regeneration & Skills Division

8.3 Appendices

23 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 Appendix One

Resources Target Group Outcome Intervention Lead Partner + Annual Target (Funding Comments Delivery Agent Source) Unemployed residents People into jobs. Joblink SMBC SMBC / WNF Based in Princes End and Soho & Victoria, operates borough wide Unemployed residents People into jobs in Carelink SMBC SMBC / WNF Based in Oldbury, care sector operates borough wide Unemployed residents People into jobs in Think Local SMBC SMBC / WNF Based in Oldbury, construction sector Construction operates borough wide Unemployed residents Sustained Workwise SMBC WNF / Based in Oldbury, employment CENTRO operates borough wide Unemployed residents People into Jobs In2Work SMBC SMBC Borough wide service with mental health based in West difficulties Bromwich All individuals aged 20 People into jobs IAG Next Steps Prospects Careers LSC funded or over who live and through IAG. West Bromwich work in Sandwell Jobcentre referrals and People into jobs Steps to Work Prospects Careers LSC funded anyone over the age of through IAG Sandwell West Bromwich 20 Unemployed women Engagement and Employment Sandwell Women’s 30 Sandwell NRF Borough wide service progression towards Pathway SWEDA Enterprise people into SMBC based in West training or Development employment. Bromwich. employment. Agency All individuals aged 20 Improved access to Careers Guidance /Prospects LSC or over. opportunity. Connexions All Enterprise growth Business start-up LSC / SWEDA All Improved access to Employment and Sure Start SACDA opportunity. Training outreach Adult and family learning Improved OCR IT Oxford and Sandwell Adult and skills Cambridge RSA Family Learning All Improved lit and Learn Direct Skills for Life, YMCA West Bromwich numeracy provision UFI and NRF Employed Older people NVQ L3 Adult SMBC 0 LSC ESF Geographical focus is 45+ Apprenticeships on Sandwell learners. BME Profiled target 250 Disabilities learners.

24 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 Lone Parents Employed People with First NVQ L2 Upskilling Drivers Rollright School of 0 LSC ESF Operates in the whole low or no skills Training sector in and Operators Transport of the Black Country. Older people 45+ Construction Profiled target 200 learners. Employed NVQ L4 One-Stop Level 4 Future Training 0 LSC ESF Operates in the whole BME Initiative 2000 of the Black Country. Older people 45+ Profiled target 60 learners. Employed People with First NVQ L2 Employees BTCV 0 LSC ESF Operates in the whole no or low skills Training sector Qualification in of the Black Country. Older people 45+ Environmental Environmental Profiled target 22 Conservation EC2's learners. Employed people with First NVQ L2 Employer Walsall College 1 LSC ESF Operates in the whole no or low skills Engagement Level 2 of the Black Country. Older people 45+ Project 90% of delivery from the following two regeneration zones: • North Black Country & South Staffordshire • South Black Country / West Birmingham Employed and unwaged Skills for life entry Skills Into Jobs Wolverhampton LSC ESF Operates in the whole Incapacity benefit level 3 and L1 College of the Black Country. Migrant Workers / L1 and L2 Target learners 1,200 Refugees Non-accredited Unemployed workers activity - motivational aged 45+ support Progression in part / full time work Employed NVQ L2 & 3 Access to All Saints Haque 0 to date LSC ESF Operates in the whole Unemployed Information Professional IT Centre of the Black Country. People with no or low Technology Skills Target learners 92 skills Older people 45+ Unemployed Older City & Guilds Media The Media Skills & Light House Media 1 LSC ESF Operates in the whole people 45+ Techniques: Level 3 Technology Centre of the Black Country. Programme 25% Regeneration

25 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 Zones. Target learners 24 Employed Older people NVQ L3 Adult Dudley College LSC ESF Operates in the whole 45+ Apprenticeships of the Black Country. Target learners 905 Employed First NVQ level 2(or Innovation for Black JML Dolman 1 LSC ESF Operates in the whole People with no or low equivalent) Country Business of the Black Country. skills Management Target learners 500 Older people 45+ Unemployed, ex- NVQ L1 Skills for Life (118) Action for 17 LSC ESF Operates in the whole offenders, homeless, NVQ L2 Employment Ltd of the Black Country. BME, learners with Skills for Life (A4e) disabilities, learners with no qualifications NVQ L2 L2 Training A4e 0 LSC ESF Operates in the whole Hard to reach Programme (132) of the Black Country. companies Target learners 720

1800 places Backfill Service A4e 6 LSC ESF Operates in the whole backfilled (110) of the Black Country Voluntary & Community Target learners 1800 sector People with low level of skills Voluntary and NVQ L 1,2,3 Right People Right Wolverhampton 7 LSC ESF Operates in the whole community sector PQASSO Skills Voluntary Sector of the Black Country. Council OLASS Wolverhampton 0 College Employed learners in NVQ L3 Caring 4 Kids 2 Dudley MBC 0 LSC ESF Operates in the whole Health & Social Care of the Black Country. Target 180 learners Voluntary, Community NVQ L2 Vol & Comm Sector Co-operation Black 4 LSC ESF Operates in the whole Sector NVQ L3 Skills Country of the Black Country. Transformation Job Seekers Allowance People into jobs New Deal for Young Job Centre Plus DWP claimants aged 18-24 People contracted provision Unemployed 19+ L2 Skills for Life Work Based STA 48 Work Based Operates in the

26 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 Learning Sandwell NHS Learning Sandwell Borough IDSL Future Skills (SMBC) Sandwell College Unemployed 19+ L2 Skills for Life Further Education Sandwell College 167 FE Operates in the Sandwell Borough Employed L2 L3 Business and Business Start Up SMBC 0 to date LSC ESF Operates in the whole Unemployed 18+ social enterprises of the Black Country. Target learners 500 Residents from BME Improved language ESOL LSP? And Sandwell LSP? Lodge Primary school. communities. skills College. Residents from BME Engagement and Sandwell 20 Sandwell Voluntary Borough wide services communities. progression towards African Caribbean people into sector SMBC based in West training or Agency. employment Bromwich. employment. BME groups Sustainable Joblink. Carelink SMBC 13 priority wards WNF Targets 13 priority employment 2009/10: 266 LAA wards, over 50+ also Lone Parents Improved lone Pilot project / new JCP No ward level DWP Runs to March 2008.. parent employment deal for lone data. rate. parents. Lone Parents Improved lone Entry to LSC Black Country Lone parents under 25. parent employment Employment target. rate. Lone Parents Improved lone Support for Lone LSC Whole City LSC / ESF £5 million across all 55 parent employment Teenage Parents Strategy target Objective 3 wards. rate. wards only Over 50s Improvement in over Flexible New Deal JCP Mainstream Offers specialist advice 50s employment JCP at 6 months. rate. Over 50s Improvement in over Flexible New Deal JCP Mainstream Not specific to over 50s 50s employment JCP but advisers will rate. engage this group. Over 50s Over 50s in Joblink. Carelink SMBC 2009/10=109 WNF Also has targets for sustained LAA BME groups in priority employment 13 priority wards wards. No qualifications. Improve basic skills Full level 2 Training LSC 1540 into training LSC / ESF No ward target or data. amongst Sandwell programme. in the West Objective 3 residents. Midland Region. No / low qualifications Improve skills Train2Gain LSC

27 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 amongst low skilled employees. No / Low qualifications Supporting young LSC people with a package of work- based training. No / Low qualifications Supporting young Student LSC people with a Apprenticeships package of work- based training. No / Low qualifications Increased business Skills for LSC 300 into learning LSC / ESF formation and Entrepreneurs. Objective 3 survival. General Reduced number of Pathways to work JCP No ward level JCP / DWP From January 2008, for IB claimants target. new and repeat claimants a national contract will be in place. General Reduced New Deal for JCP No ward target.* unemployment Disabled People amongst disabled residents.

28 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 Appendix Two Sandwell's Local Area Agreement Reward Indicators 2007/08 to 2009/10

Economy Block Targets Targets Baselines Targets 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2006/07 (Unless Lead Ref Outcomes Indicators (Including any (Including any (Including otherwise partner stretch targets) stretch any stretch stated) targets) targets) a) Number of people from BME groups in priority 65 65 wards helped into employment by SMBC 234 (2005/06) 252 Increase 266 with 266 with SMBC Employment Economic reward reward Regeneration D3.4 39 39 and Skills REWARD Division - b) Number of people from BME groups in priority INDICATOR 140 (2005/06) 151 John Sutton wards sustained in employment by SMBC 173 with 173 with reward reward 25 25 a) Number of people aged over 50 in priority SMBC 91 (2005/06) 98 Increase wards helped into employment by SMBC 109 with 109 with Economic Employment Regeneration reward reward D3.5 and Skills 15 REWARD 15 Division - b) Number of people aged over 50 in priority John Sutton INDICATOR 54 (2005/06) 58 wards helped into employment by SMBC 71 with 71 with reward reward Improve basic Number of Sandwell residents in employment 120 120 120 skills LSC achieving Skills for Life qualifications at either D4.2 100 (2005/06) Entry Level 3, Level 1 and Level 2 via Train to 140 with 160 with 180 with REWARD Gain reward reward reward INDICATOR

SMBC Improve Skills 27,400 (2005) 28,762 30,612 32,463 Economic D4.3 Total number of working age people in Sandwell Regeneration

REWARD (aged 16 to 59 for females and 16 to 64 for and Skills 29,099 with 31,453 with 33,976 with INDICATOR males) qualified to level 2 only Division (source: APS) reward reward reward

John Sutton

29 FINAL Updated: 20th April 2009 Local Area Agreement – Economic Targets 2008/09 to 2010/11

Baseline Economic Targets Partners who have signed- Priority Ref Indicator up to the target and any (2007/8 year unless 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 stated) which are acting as lead partner/s (shown with a *) Jobcentre Plus More People Closing the gap Closing the gap Sandwell MBC Working age people on out 17.75% (0.55% in NI 152 18.3% (May 2007) target in line target in line of work benefits* reduction) Employment with the MAA with the MAA

Sandwell MBC

More People Black Country Learning & Learners achieving a level 06/07 data in NI 161 3349 3391 3439 Skills Council 1 qualification in literacy* 3199 Employment Sandwell College Schools Sandwell MBC Black Country Learning & Proportion of population More People 33.4% 35.4% Skills Council aged 19-64 for males and 39.4% (Increase in NI 164 32.4% (2006) (Increase of (Increase Sandwell College 19-59 for females qualified of 4%) Employment Black Country Chamber to at least level 3 or higher* 1%) of 2%)

Sandwell MBC Previously developed land More People Advantage West Midlands that has been vacant or in NI 170 - - 1% 1% derelict for more than 5 Employment years*

Sandwell MBC * More People New business registration 36.8 (825 43.9 (1000 Jobcentre Plus in NI 171 978 978 rate Black Country Chamber Employment businesses) businesses)

30