Businesses and key stakeholders must refocus their efforts on tackling skills gaps following a rise in West Midlands unemployment, business leaders said today.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics revealed a 0.3 per cent increase in unemployment in the region between July and September.

The West Midlands has the third-highest unemployment rate in the country.

Employment also fell by 0.5 per cent compared to the previous quarter (April to June), with inactivity creeping up by 0.3 per cent.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce said the region must regain momentum in tackling the skills gaps that are restricting business growth.

Chief executive Paul Faulkner (pictured) said: “Over this past year we have seen some really positive changes in the local labour market.

“More West Midlands residents are accessing work, and fewer are unemployed or economically inactive.

“For those in work, more subdued inflation and significant increases in average weekly earnings will also mean that pay packets are now stretching further.

“However, our latest Quarterly Business Report showed 22 per cent of service sector organisations listing pay settlements as a key factor in price pressures, and another rise in average weekly earnings, above inflation, will exacerbate the strain on businesses to recruit skilled talent in a tight labour market.

“In Q3 2018, of the 55 per cent of Greater Birmingham firms who attempted to recruit, 64 per cent faced recruitment difficulties, despite the West Midlands having the third-highest unemployment rate in the country.

“Stakeholders and businesses must regain momentum in working together to tackle persisting local skills gaps.

“To thrive and grow, local businesses need access to skilled talent. Surveying for our latest Quarterly Business Report has just begun, and I urge any business to take three minutes and let us know where they are experiencing difficulties, so that we can continue to engage stakeholders on their behalf.”

British Airways has revealed it’s offering a new style of work experience – this time for teachers, not pupils.

The airline has already received huge demand for the one-day work experience sessions and is urging teachers to apply now for one of the limited number of spaces still available.

Teacher Take-Off

The new programme, called ‘Teacher Take-Off’, sees teachers being invited into a number of departments across the airline, including British Airways’ operations centre, its engineering bays and airport terminals.

Teachers from London, Glasgow and Cardiff will bring this first-hand experience of the aviation industry back to their classrooms and incorporate it into lessons, providing their pupils with real-life working examples of topics they are learning in the classroom.

Teachers play a huge role in shaping children’s career aspirations. Through this innovative programme, British Airways continues its mission to highlight to young people, both male and female, the broad range of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers available at the airline.

The initiative is on top of the airline’s traditional work experience programme. This year more than 600 children have taken part in week-long placements including 10,000 hours of mentoring in areas around the business from Engineering, Flight Operations and Customer Service at Heathrow, Gatwick, Cardiff and Glasgow.

British Airways’ Community Education Manager, Mel Kose, said:

“It’s so important that children learn how exciting it is to be part of the aviation industry – and that there are really interesting roles available to them across a broad spectrum of areas when they leave school, college or university. This year, with our Teacher Take-Off project, we’re turning the way we think about work experience on its head, and getting teachers involved, as we know one great teacher can inspire so many students.”

Teachers wishing to apply for a place on the Teacher Take-Off programme can apply here.

Gold Standard

The airline’s work experience programme has been awarded Gold status by Fair Train, the leading work experience accreditation body, backed by Ofsted and the Department for Education, recognising that students are getting the very best experience when they spend time at British Airways.

Shivani Godhania, 16, who recently completed a work experience placement in British Airways’ Flight Operations department, said:

“I thoroughly enjoyed my work experience because I was able to engage with experts within an industry that I would love to work in, and gain invaluable information that will help me stand out from other candidates.”

“My most memorable moment was when I had a go at flying the amazing Boeing 777 simulator with the help of two pilots. This opportunity has further ignited my passion for flight and I hope to pursue a career with British Airways as a pilot in the future.”

The Open Day takes place at all of its campuses, including Wisemore, Green Lane and Portland Street, on Thursday 22^nd November, from 4pm – 8pm. Visitors will have the chance to take a look at the College’s state-of-the-art facilities, and why it’s teaching and course curriculums are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

Tutors and the College’s guidance team will be on hand to guide prospective students on how they can kick-start their dream career.

From GCSEs to apprenticeships and vocational courses, the College offers a number of routes into work or higher education, with a great team to help you choose the one that works for you.

Many of our students have kick-started exciting futures after completing their studies at Walsall College.

Kimberley Jones studied a level 3 Health and Social Care course at Walsall College. Since finishing her course, the aspiring midwife has secured a place at Birmingham City University studying Midwifery.

She said, “My health and social care course has set me up for the future. Regular placement experience helped me to develop my confidence as a professional, as well as my communication skills and team work. It’s also given me the qualifications I needed to study my dream course which I love and enjoy so much.”

As part of her course, Kimberley undertook work experience both locally and abroad, which has helped her develop the skills to become a midwife.

“I really enjoyed my placement, as I was able to gain experience on nursing wards and within a playgroup, which provided me with an insight into different health and social care settings. Whilst studying at Walsall College, I carried out a placement in Iringa, Africa for two weeks, assisting with natural births and caesarean sections. Here I was able to shadow a midwife around a hospital to experience midwifery in a different culture and country.

My long term career goals are to qualify as a midwife before working within a hospital for three years. I’d then like to complete a Master’s Degree in Midwifery to enable me to become a specialist midwife in either diabetes or teenage pregnancy.”

Walsall College offer a range of courses in subjects including Business and Computing; Construction, Engineering and Science, Creative Industries, Health & Public Services, Hair and Beauty, Sport and Hospitality and Catering.

Apprenticeship opportunities are also available, along with GCSEs, ESOL and Foundation Learning courses.

This year’s BBC Children in Need Appeal show on Friday 16 November will see an all-star presenter line up including Tess Daly, Graham Norton, Mel Giedroyc, Ade Adepitan, Rochelle and Marvin Humes and Rob Beckett host a night of entertainment for the whole family. This year they will once again be joined by a number of school choirs from nine different locations around the UK, who will join together to sing A Million Dreams, from the musical The Greatest Showman.

One of the locations is the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton where BBC West Midlands will be joined by choirmaster, Ruth Roberts who will lead a choir of 225 children, from six schools including: The Royal School in Blakenhall, Trinity Church of England Primary School in Heath Town, St Michaels Catholic Primary School in Merry Hill, St Andrews Primary School in Whitmore Reans, Lanesfield Primary School in Lanesfield and Albrighton Primary School in Albrighton. Schools have already started their rehearsals ready for their live performance during the appeal show, which will feature harmonies.

Choirmaster, Ruth Roberts said: “I am super excited about this year's CiN song. It's so well known that the children will definitely sing their hearts out and everybody will be singing along at home too. I always enjoy meeting and working with the singers. They are always make the extra effort to create a great sound and of course I get to say hello to everyone's favourite bear - Pudsey during the day.”

BBC Children in Need currently funds 159 projects across the West Midlands with funding of more than £9million hard at work across the city. Supporting the charity this year would help fund even more projects like Solihull Carers Centre which receives a grant of more than £100,000, delivered over three years, to provide support to young carers through the provision of peer mentoring and befrienders. The project aims to reduce the isolation felt by the young carers, as well as improve their emotional wellbeing and hopes for the future.

The choirs will sing in unison from eight other UK locations including: Lincoln Theatre in Lincolnshire, Story House in Chester, Tate in St Ives and Elstree Studios in London, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum just outside of Belfast, Pacific Quay in Glasgow, Broadcasting House in Cardiff, King Edward VI School in Southampton.

The Children’s Choir is regarded as one of the highlights of the annual Appeal Show. Last year the choir sang a jazz rendition of ‘Over the Rainbow’, in previous years they’ve sung Miley Cyrus’ ‘The Climb’ and Simon and Garfunkel’s 1970s ballad ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water.’

BBC Children in Need will return to screens on Friday 16 November on BBC One. The official fundraising pack is available for download from bbc.co.uk/Pudsey and is packed with ideas to help the public with their fundraising efforts, plus lots of exclusive content from the charity’s celebrity friends.

Parents and pupils are being encouraged to take a fresh look at the delicious and nutritious food on offer in Wolverhampton's schools during National School Meals Week 2018, which begins today.

Tens of thousands of hot lunches are served to children and young people in the city every week – with thousands of pupils eligible to receive them for free.

The varied and tasty menus provided by the City of Wolverhampton Council have been developed with help from pupils, parents and school catering staff, and offer plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, alongside popular favourites such as roast dinners, pasta, pizza, jacket potatoes, sausage and mash and hot puddings.

There are also vegetarian options every day, with dishes for special diets can be prepared by prior arrangement. In addition, secondary school pupils can choose from a range of light bites and sandwiches, cakes and drinks.

Throughout the year, catering staff also offer special menus to celebrate key events, such as Bonfire Night, Christmas, Chinese New Year, St George's Day and Diwali. This year a special Armistice Day menu will also be served on Monday (12 November, 2018) to mark the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Councillor Lynne Moran, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "We are really proud of the school meals we serve up to thousands of local pupils every day.

“Our experienced catering staff produce meals which are very high quality and meet a wide range of dietary requirements. Above all, they are affordable, nutritious and delicious.

“School meals save parents the time, cost and effort of shopping for and creating healthy, varied and appealing packed lunches every day, and they can relax knowing their children are well fed and can socialise with friends in a safe environment.

“Next week is National School Meals Week – so I’d urge parents whose sons or daughters don’t have a school meal on a regular basis to take a look at the excellent fare on offer and contact their school to find out more.”

All Key Stage 1 pupils in Wolverhampton – those in Reception and Year 1 and Year 2 – are eligible for a free lunch through the Government’s Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme. Free milk may also be available to some children. Many children and young people in Years 3 and above – and nursery-aged children receiving full-time education – also receive free school meals if their families meet eligibility requirements.

Councillor Moran added: "Even if you are not eligible for free school meals, they offer excellent value for money."

To check out the primary and secondary school menus, which are offered on a three week rotating basis, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/catering. For more information on free school meals, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals.

Parents who already receive free school meals because their children are in Key Stage 1, but also meet the additional eligibility requirements for them should ensure they have registered for free school meals as this will mean their school receives additional Pupil Premium funding from the Government.

2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the Lead Association for CAtering in Education (LACA) National School Meals Week. For more information, please visit www.thegreatschoollunch.co.uk.