Alliance 4 the Black Country, the professionals’ network for the region, is turning its attentions to keeping local talent in the West Midlands.

Since the Alliance was launched by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce it has focused on bringing together professional sectors based in the region.

Alliance members are also investigating ways in which local talent can be encouraged to stay in the area rather than flee to big cities.

Throughout 2011 the Alliance is promoting a number of activities to highlight the work of local programmes and initiatives for young talent in the Black Country.

Alliance 4 the Black Country would like to form a consortium of member companies who could provide a couple of hours of their time free of cost to make a presentation at secondary schools across the Black Country.

The aims and objectives are:

• To enable the professional services sectors in the Black Country to establish a relationship with local schools and students.
• To give students a clear view and understanding of the variety of jobs within the professional services sector.
• To manage students expectations of job availability.
• To guide students into a profession by exploring routes into work, via college, work placements or apprenticeships.
• To help students better understand the effort, hard work and determination that will get them into their chosen career.
• Discuss interview techniques, CV writing and presentation/appearance.

Sarah Pugh, partner at WH Law in Dudley and chair of the skills group for the Alliance said “I am keen to ensure that the needs of local business in the West Midlands are met by local school leavers and graduates and that the HE & FE institutions are developing graduates with the skills that businesses need”.

If you would like to get involved in Alliance initiatives, please email gemmabutler@blackcountrychamber.co.uk