The Midland Metro Alliance, on behalf for Transport for West Midlands, has written to all Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) schools in Birmingham and the Black Country with details of a new competition which is asking young people to design and build a bug hotel or to share their designs for a tram stop. The competition will run throughout the spring.
The activity is part of the skills and employability workstream that the Midland Metro Alliance delivers alongside planning and building a number of tramway extensions for Transport for West Midlands. Its aimed to develop young people’s collaborative and creative skills whilst also highlighting important topics like biodiversity and sustainability.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “It’s important that our employers – large and small – engage with local communities in order to promote the range of job opportunities available to people on their very doorsteps. That’s why it’s wonderful to learn more about the great work that the Midland Metro Alliance is doing with local schools to support young people with special educational needs – helping to break down barriers and expand access to employment right across our region.”
Teams chosen by their school or college to enter the competition will be competing for trophies across multiple different age groups and will also be in the running to win prizes including day-trips to local attractions in the region.
The competition will launch on Monday 17th April with competing schools asked to send their entries in by Monday 19th June 2023. Schools are also asked to document students’ journeys via photographs, diaries and videos and the MMA will be sharing these throughout the spring on social media channels. Judging will take place in early July.