Employment and Enterprise services in the West Midlands of the UK Mamaloca Conference – 18thFebruary 2013 Kolin Presentation by John White – Executive Director – PISCESwm c.i.c.

About Pisces PISCES wm is a unique Community Interest Company and Brokerage organisation based in the West Midlands Partnerships In Social and Community Enterprise in Skills for Life and Social Care It addresses issues around exclusion and deprivation in some of the most challenging environments by bringing individuals, groups and organisations together, identifying Funds and resources not available to public agencies

West Midlands

Wolverhampton and the Black Country

Traditional Black Country

The challenges we face in the UK Major financial crisis across all sectors but particularly ‘public’ sector Withdrawal of funds to support 3 rd Sector –NGOs Radical cutbacks in services and closure of community facilities i.e Libraries, community centres, police stations Increasing public apathy – 15% voting in recent elections Increasing poverty – explosion of Food banks and money lenders North/south divide – London focussed Ongoing changes in infrastructures and management - Local Enterprise Partnerships replacing regional structures – Health Authorities Shortage of Skilled workers, increase in Part time work for non skilled Banks unwilling to support Business development

Wolverhampton and the Black Country- key issues Higher than average unemployment, particularly amongst young people and people over 50 High levels of Long Term unemployment – 3 rd generation after collapse of mining and engineering Child and family poverty High levels of Benefit dependence because of ill health Parochialness and territorialism – village mentality Diminishing Retail offer – strong competition from Birmingham and Merry Hill – Mary Portas Project Cultural Diversity – Celebration or challenge??

Wolverhampton and the Black Country – The Service Structure National – Employment services delivered through Private Sector Local - 4 Local Authorities responsible for Community Services, Schools and Child care, Economic development, Social and Health care of older people and those with disabilities, roads and waste disposal Local chambers of Commerce Local enterprise partnerships (LEPS) Community Groups and organisations including Councils for Voluntary sevice. Multi dimensional Faith and church organisations Private Enterprise suplementing Public Sector EVERYONE LOOKING FOR SURVIVAL

Contact Information John White – Executive Director PISCESwm c.i.c. Tel 0044(0) Mobile 0044(0) E’mail –