Mail launches We Want to Work campaign

Apr 23 2009 by Catherine Lillington

“My aspiration and dedication is to work as hard as I can with each individual to get them the right job first time,” added Ruth, who has just launched her own academy.

Solihull author Steve Miller, who has written a book Change Your Life - Grab That Job, will also be writing every Thursday in the Birmingham Mail, offer top tips and advice.

Our eight jobseekers, from Birmingham, the Black Country, Redditch and Solihull represent some of the more than two million people facing unemployment in the current recession.

They answered appeals in the Birmingham Mail to take part in the pioneer project.

Their backgrounds in industries including construction and automotive reflect trades and professions hardest hit by the credit crunch.

New unemployment figures reveal that 36,000 people have lost their jobs in the West Midlands in three months, bringing the jobless total to 223,000.

It means 8.4 per cent of the region’s workforce, almost one in 12, is out of work.

Chancellor Mr Darling has sparked fury from local business leaders after confirming he was rejecting a bid for the West Midlands to gain City Region status, blocking proposals to raise £1 billion for local transport improvements and create thousands of jobs.

Our eight job hunters are very concerned for their futures and believe not enough is being done to help them.

Our group will share their stories with readers of the Mail both in print and on-line at www.birminghammail.net. The problems they encounter and the advice they have for others experiencing the same problems as them will be dealt with in personal accounts in the paper, blogs and video diaries.

* For more information about The Ruth Badger Academy visit www.ruthbadgeracademy.com