At West Midlands Interchange (WMI), we’re not just constructing a vital logistics hub in the heart of the UK’s golden logistics triangle; we are actively investing in the future of our local community by nurturing the next generation of talent. With a dedicated brokerage for WMI, our partnership with Staffordshire Jobs and Careers (SJC), part of Staffordshire County Council has played a key role in identifying local partners and delivering impactful social value work directly within the local communities surrounding the WMI site. This collaboration is a cornerstone of our commitment to community benefit, ensuring that the project delivers lasting positive change beyond its physical footprint.

Empowering students with careers advice

Together with our construction partner Winvic and the dedicated WMI SJC Employment Brokers have been providing invaluable careers advice and assisting Careers Leads within local schools. Their efforts equip students with vital information on exciting careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), real-world insights into the construction industry, and the diverse future career opportunities that WMI will bring to the West Midlands.

We have actively participated in numerous Careers Fairs, conducted mock interviews with local students and young people, delivered engaging, careers-focused assemblies, and facilitated STEM activities within schools. This ensures the students gain a comprehensive understanding of the various pathways into employment within this dynamic sector.

Hands on engagement

One of our stand out initiatives saw the SJC collaborate with Winvic on delivering an engaging design activity as part of Codsall Community High School’s Year 10 Employability Skills Day. Throughout the day, 260 students were challenged to create a design to be incorporated on to a bridge fence at WMI, engaging the local communities. The students were able to use their creativity and incorporate what Staffordshire means to them. The designs will be reviewed by the Winvic project team for incorporation into the final fencing design.

Supporting local schools and students

Furthering our commitment to local talent, SJC recently delivered a careers assembly to all year groups at Cheslyn Hay High School. Discussions focused on essential transferrable skills, early CV writing, the dynamics of the local labour market, and detailed information on WMI and its future job opportunities. The presentation was exceptionally well-received, with many students seeking further discussion with our employment brokers after the talk to explore their options and future career paths.

Our direct engagement extends beyond assemblies. Ellie and Katie from SJC, alongside Winvic, has facilitated mock interviews for students at Cheslyn Hay and Codsall High Schools, as well as Staffordshire University academy. Gemma Gleeson, Careers Lead at Cheslyn Hay commented: “This year Ellie and Kate have been huge source of support and guidance for Cheslyn Hay Academy. They have given assemblies, spent a full day in our careers fair, and a morning in mock interviews with our year 11 students, as well as at least 4 hours in virtual meetings with myself and my team. Throughout this work they have spoken to all students from year 8-11 and had multiple conversations with students from these years and sixth form.

“They are always at the end of an email ready to support.”

Harriet Allen, Careers and Guidance Officer at Cannock Chase High School said: “Over the past academic year Staffs Jobs and Careers have been a massive support to the careers provision, including recently supporting our Year 10 Personal Development week. They have brokered a working relationship between ourselves and Winvic, meaning our students have benefited from hearing about opportunities within a growing sector. One of our students has also secured work experience with them!”

We look forward to continuing this partnership and improving the life chances of the young people at our school.

The Winvic team also recently delivered environmental activity sessions at Perton Library, educating young people on key environmental practices relevant to major projects like WMI, with further sessions planned across the summer holidays. They have also hosted four work experience students on site across  June and July, providing invaluable real-world exposure to the construction environment.

Be sure to look out for more updates on our social media channels and website as the project progresses. If you’d like to get involved with our STEM initiatives, you can get in touch here.