Midland Metro extension to provide boost for the unemployed

Balfour Beatty, the contractor in charge of the Midland Metro Birmingham city centre extension, have signed up to the Employment Access Team (EAT) which seeks to support the unemployed of Birmingham into finding work. The firm will provide up to 1,000 weeks of employment during the construction phase of the line which is due to open in 2015.

Geoff Inskip, Chief Executive of Centro, commented: “The tram extension is a really important project for the people of the West Midlands and the future prosperity of our region. In the current economic climate, it is important that we look for ways to support people in their search for employment and it is great that we will be able to do this as part of this vital work. We already know that the Metro extension will boost our economy by £50 million a year and create 1,300 sustainable new jobs, so the news that even more jobs will be available for our residents is extremely pleasing.”

The agreements means that jobs will be made available for local unemployed people with necessary skills and also states that any sub contractors must use local people to make up at least 75% if their workforce.

This entry was posted in West Midlands Metro. Bookmark the permalink.