The findings of the latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), carried out by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and in partnership with the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), indicate that skills shortages throughout the region are reaching critical levels. For Q4 2017, the number of businesses that reported experiencing recruitment difficulties was 82%, which sees an increase of 25% on the previous quarter.

Of the service sector companies hiring, the number reporting recruitment difficulties rose to 74%, amounting to an increase of 19% on Q3 2017 and 31% on Q4 2016. Furthermore, this current figure sees recruitment difficulties for the service sector standing at the highest level since records began. In particular, managerial and professional positions have proven to be difficult to fill.

In the manufacturing sector, the number of those recruiting who reported greater difficulties is at the highest level since Q4 2014, with figures currently standing at 63%. These latest figures highlight that skilled technical positions were the most difficult to fill for manufacturers, with 58% stating that they had experienced problems in filling these roles within their respective organisations.

However, despite the reported difficulties in recruiting, businesses throughout the Black Country have reported an increase in domestic sales of 5% on Q3 2017, whilst levels of business confidence have risen on the previous year.

Corin Crane, Chief Executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, commented: “In recent years, both manufacturers and service sector organisations have consistently informed us of the recruitment difficulties they have experienced. Whilst there is positivity relating to increased levels of confidence, this is something that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency if we are to ensure that the business climate is conducive towards growth.

“As a Chamber, we are working to increase the engagement between businesses and education providers, which we hope may help to address the skills gap. In addition, through our Making The Future campaign we aim to work closely with relevant bodies and stakeholders in order to provide clarity for businesses regarding changes to skills policy.”

Stewart Towe, Chair of the Black Country LEP Board, said: “The Black Country economy continues to grow with the total GVA growing by 2.5% from £19.6bn in 2015 to £20.6bn in 2016. Whilst this growth is great news for the Black Country, surveys such as these show us that there is still work to do and in particular with relation to skills.

“The skills shortage is a key area of on-going development for the Black Country and the LEP has been working hard through programmes such as the Black Country Skills Factory to connect schools and businesses to ensure we are addressing skills shortages across key sectors building a skilled labour force as well as providing expert career advice and pathways for young people in the Black Country.

“We will ensure we make the most of the data shared through the Quarterly Economic Survey to continue to drive forward economic growth across the Black Country.”

With Blue Monday having just passed and Help for Heroes, (H4H), having just released new research about mental health, (below), Veteran Ryan Lewis from Colchester is hoping that by sharing his experiences he will encourage others to come forward.

The former Sergeant served for just under 15 years in the 7th Parachute Royal Horse Artillery; touring Iraq and Afghanistan. The 33 year old, who was born in Germany but grew up in Aldershot, left in 2014 after being admitted to a psychiatric hospital earlier in 2012.

“In 2004 my regiment moved and I found myself in Colchester. I felt incredibly isolated as I was away from my family and had a young family of my own. Trying to balance my job in the army and my life at home was becoming too much. I also started having panic attacks in 2009 and wasn’t sleeping because of nightmares from what I’d seen in Iraq. In 2012 I tried to commit suicide but thankfully stopped myself. It was then that I got admitted to a psychiatric hospital. After being discharged I went back to work but people just didn’t know to handle me. It was when I left the army that I felt lost more than ever”.

Ryan decided to get in contact with Help for Heroes and visited the Recovery Centre near his home in Colchester. After signing up as a Band of Brother he now attends the centre regularly.

“When I first stepped through the doors of Chavasse VC House I didn’t want to mix with anyone. I kept my head down and didn’t want to talk. There was no pressure from anyone though. They just gently let me know that when I was ready they were ready. I started seeing a Psychological Wellbeing Advisor who helped me to see things from a different angle and enabled me to be more proactive when it came to problem solving. I’d had a lot done for me in the army, such as paying bills, so I had to learn how to take responsibility for my own budget”.

He continued: “I immediately saw the benefits and it changed my whole outlook on myself. As I grew stronger I started to talk with other veterans and realised that they had been through similar experiences. It was nice to be able to grab a brew and just be really honest about your feelings. I even took park in the Hero Ride in 2015; a fundraising event which saw 100 injured servicemen and women collectively cover 18,000 miles”.

Although the road to recovery can be long Ryan has come a remarkable way. After responding to a Facebook advert about extras being needed to play soldiers in a TV programme he has now signed up with an agency and has regular extras work. His first job was with Olivia Coleman in the Night Manager but Ryan has also worked on the Netflix Drama The Royals and the Inspector Morse spin-off Endeavour. More recently he has done films with Will Ferrell and Woody Harellson.

“It’s the hardest thing to make that phone call admitting that you need help. You have a fear of rejection or being judged. But nobody does. There is only acceptance. And plenty of others who are going through a similar situation. You feel like you’re the only person in the world feeling like this but you soon realise that’s not the case”.

As we live in an increasingly digitalised world, research shows that people in the West Midlands aren’t keeping up with documenting their financial affairs, according to new findings from Lloyds Bank, which reveals exactly how prepared the nation is for death.

The research revealed that those in the West Midlands with important financial information online are the least likely across the regions to have told their next of kin about their online accounts, with nearly three-quarters (71%) keeping quiet on this. This is in stark contrast to the majority of people being clear about their paper finances and more trivial concerns – one in ten (10%) said that they’d considered what will happen to their Facebook page in the event of their death.

To help navigate through the complexities of a loved one’s accounts, Lloyds Bank’s Bereavement team offers specially trained¹ advisers that provide help and guidance face to face or over the telephone.

In line with advancing technology, life expectancy in the UK has reached its highest ever levels prompting people to think they have more time to prepare. This has created a nation at risk of being unprepared, particularly those in the West Midlands as nearly two thirds (65%) are without a will, the highest proportion across the regions.

True to the nation’s typical ‘stiff upper lip’, just over a third (36%) of those in the West Midlands said that they’d never spoken to their loved ones about their personal and financial affairs in the event of their death, fairing only slightly better than the national average of 38%.

Robin Bulloch, Managing Director, Lloyds Bank, said:

“We all embrace technological advancement but this does mean that people in the West Midlands need to make sure that they’re taking as much care of their online finances now we operate in a more paperless society.

“It’s not easy for anyone to think about a time when they won’t be around, and often even tougher to talk about it. But our research shows that those who are left to organise the financial affairs of a loved one once they’ve passed away could be facing a challenging task. Either wills are not set out, accounts are not easily located or children are without legally binding guardianship. During what’s already a difficult time, this can add further pressure and upset.

“Most of us will naturally turn to family or friends to help manage a loved one’s affairs, however over a third of us don’t feel confident to manage their finances. This can include anything from accessing bank accounts to sorting out investments and pensions.”

A popular City of Wolverhampton Council-run centre for people with disabilities has been officially reopened after undergoing a major makeover.

The Brickkiln Centre, on Cherry Street, Graiseley, has been renovated and upgraded to enable it to welcome more service users and community groups.

The centre was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Phil Page and Cabinet Member for Adult Services Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE after being given a light, spacious, modern and welcoming feel.

It now boasts brighter decor, with colour coded and contrasting doors and handles and inclusive signage with braille designed to help people with a visual impairment get around more easily. The garden area has been improved, the domestic kitchen has new equipment and a Changing Place toilet, the third in Wolverhampton, has been installed for people who need support to attend to their personal care.

The venue offers a wide range of facilities, including a large sensory room, a community hall, IT facilities and an outdoor activity area. As well as adults and children with disabilities and the SupportPlus service for adults with a learning disability, the Brickkiln Centre is also used by local residents and associations, with a number of rooms available to hire including the sensory room, a small meeting area and a hall which can cater for up to 50.

The Brickkiln Centre is one of three City of Wolverhampton Council-run facilities for people with disabilities, all of which have recently been or are in the process of being renovated.

Action4Independence, on Albert Road near West Park, was transformed in 2016 and is now a bright, accessible venue offering art, horticultural, catering and Information Technology activities. It hosts a number of community groups, NHS teams and council services and is also home to Enable, a supported employment service for people with disabilities, and the Community Pathways team who help people who are disabled gain greater independence.

Meanwhile the Neil Dougherty Centre, on Pope Road, is currently undergoing modernisation work to bring its facilities up to the standards available at the Brickkiln Centre and Action4Independence and is due to reopen in the near future.

It will act as a base for the City Links service, which offers day opportunities to adults with a disability including football coaching in partnership with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at WV Active Aldersley and drama at the Arena Theatre. It also hosts sessions at the Bob Jones Community Hub in Blakenhall, WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams and The Way Youth Zone in Wolverhampton.

Approximately £180,000 has been invested across the three sites, with the improvements at Brickkiln costing around £55,000.

Councillor Samuels OBE said: "The support that is available for people with disabilities in Wolverhampton has been transformed for the better over the last few years.

"We've moved away from traditional, more institutionalised forms of support based in large day centres to more inclusive activities designed to help people learn new skills and increase their independence as much as possible.

"I'm delighted to have officially reopened the Brickkiln Centre and look forward to the improvement work being completed at the Neil Dougherty Centre which will give us three fantastic facilities for use by both people with disabilities and the local community at key locations across the City."

Mr Motivator paid a visit to Birmingham's Bullring and Grand Central to blow away the January blues and get shoppers limbered up and back into the swing of shopping.

Those in need of something to make them smile, and a bit of motivation before hitting the shops on an otherwise miserable morning, were welcomed to centre by the fitness professional brightening up their 'Blue Monday'.

Donning a floral-print leotard and florescent leg warmers, Mr Motivator also revealed the latest get-up of Birmingham's iconic bull – an '80s inspired workout costume, similar to that of the guru's own – before lunging through Bullring and Grand Central to take consumers on a journey of squats, stretches and spending.