The expansion will see the Metro serve 80 tram stops, connect 20 transport interchanges, and link key areas including Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Dudley, Brierley Hill, Digbeth, North Solihull, Birmingham Sports Quarter, the NEC and HS2 – transforming it from a single line into a comprehensive regional service.
The Metro extension, which will connect people to places across the region for work, education and leisure, has already led to a raft of new job opportunities this year.
Now West Midlands Metro is now looking to recruit 40 new tram drivers and people to take on engineering roles in the Black Country and Birmingham.
WMM has been working with local DWP Jobcentres and colleges to support more than 80 people into jobs and careers within the Light Rail Industry and wider transport sector since 2018 through a programme specially developed to help people from the unemployed to people returning to the labour market to those that have recently been made redundant from long-term careers in a different sector, as well as people transferring from other job roles.
Claire Scrimshire, head of HR & OD at West Midlands Metro, said: “It has been a real benefit to work in partnership with these amazing organisations and be able to create a program that applicants have a pathway into work and enhance their lives for the communities that support the West Midland Tram Service.”
Cathy Taylor, business development manager with the Department for Work and Pensions, echoed the sentiment, saying: “This is an excellent opportunity for many unemployed people to gain sustainable employment with the possibility of progressing within the company.”
To help those interested in becoming a tram driver to get the skills and confidence needed – a four-week pre-employment programme has been developed to help potential recruits learn and grow prior to their interview and build on their confidence and self-esteem, while developing life skills.
Key requirements include being aged 21 or over (for insurance purposes) and holding a full, clean UK driving licence for a minimum of 12 months. Successful applicants must also pass a D4 medical and a stringent drugs and alcohol test.
The college-based training covers essential areas such as ‘work readiness’, customer service, health and safety, numeracy, communication, digital, and essential employability skills.
Upon securing employment with WMM, new drivers will receive a comprehensive Metro induction and a further seven to eight-week tram driver programme, which includes simulator-based training and on-line driving, all as paid employment.
WMM hosted an event on Monday (June 23) at the Midland Metro Depot in Wednesbury to highlight its recruitment programme as it looks to find tram drivers of the future to work on the line between Wolverhampton and Birmingham.
Anyone interested in becoming a tram driver is advised to contact their local Jobcentre or work coach for details on the Midland Metro Tram Driver SWAP Program, or visit westmidlandsmetro.com/careers