How can businesses best access the skills of refugees in the West Midlands?

How can businesses best access the skills of refugees in the West Midlands?

That’s the topic for discussion at a roundtable discussion event being held in Birmingham by ACH / Himilo on September 20, 2018.

Speakers include Dr Julie Nugent (Director of Productivity and Skills, West Midlands Combined Authority) and Sarah Goule (Store Manager, Starbucks Birmingham).

Businesses across the West Midlands are invited to attend and discuss new approaches to sourcing skills for the future from the diverse population of the West Midlands.

Sarah Goule will be talking about how Starbucks is working with ACH / Himilo in Birmingham to train refugees as baristas.

Dr Julie Nugent, director of Productivity and Skills for West Midlands Combined Authority, will discuss how employers can help to drive growth in an inclusive economy.

Dr Nugent said: “The West Midlands is experiencing record levels of employment, with thousands of new jobs created across a range of sectors. We need to ensure that we have skilled people to fill these vacancies, and we are encouraging the region’s employers to consider the range of talent across our refugee population. Helping more people in to employment means we can support economic growth and ensure that all of our communities can participate in our region’s economic success.”

David Jepson, Director and Policy Advisor, ACH / Himilo said: “The past few years have been tumultuous ones, with unprecedented numbers of refugees entering the region, and ongoing austerity measures. With Brexit on the horizon a way ahead is needed, and refugees and other newly-arrived communities could well be the answer to business’s recruitment problems.

“This roundtable discussion will focus on how to create a new paradigm around refugee employment, and how ACH / Himilo works directly with businesses to get refugees and newly arrived communities into work.”

Date and Time:

20^th September 2018: 1200 - 1400

Location:

Birmingham City Centre

This free event will include lunch. Anyone interested in attending should contact matthew.rogers@ashleyhousing.com for further details.