The Jobs Taskforce will look at ways to invest in skills training and apprenticeships, reduce youth unemployment, and increase opportunities to secure quality jobs. 

Parker said: “Everyone should have the chance to gain the skills they need to get a good job and build a career they’re proud of.

“My Jobs Taskforce has brought together some of the most experienced people in the region to focus on upskilling our workforce and start to tackle one of the West Midlands’ biggest challenges – youth unemployment.

“I want to create clear pathways into work, giving people the training and opportunities they need to secure good jobs, fill skills gaps, and support businesses to grow.”

According to the West Midlands Combined Authority, the Jobs Taskforce is one of four expert groups that the mayor has established to tackle the region’s biggest challenges and deliver on his four key priorities:

• Jobs for Everyone – Investing in skills, training, and apprenticeships to reduce youth unemployment and ensure well-paying jobs for all.
• Homes for Everyone – Building social and affordable homes to create vibrant communities.
• Growth for Everyone – Helping businesses thrive and fostering innovation while protecting the environment.
• Journeys for Everyone – Connecting communities with safer, easier, and more affordable travel options.

The role of the taskforces is to provide expert advice, challenge current approaches, and propose innovative solutions to deliver real, lasting change in line with the Mayor’s priorities.

Members include experts from business, education, healthcare, community organisations, and beyond. Together, they will work to shape strategies, lead projects.

• Dr Fiona Aldridge, Skills Federation CEO
• Sareena Bains, CEO of charity Movement to Work
• Malcolm Cowgill, City of Wolverhampton College principal and CEO (2018-July 2024)
• Rob Colbourne, CEO, Performance Through People
• Sureya Gulzar, Black Country Housing Group
• Matthew Gordon OBE, CEO, Spectra First
• Mike Hopkins MBE, principal South & City College Birmingham
• Sat Nijjer, CEO, Fortel Group
• Dan Parkes, CEO The Mercian Trust
• Shaid Parveen, associate dean for engagement and development for Aston Law School 
• Carmen Watson, chairwoman, Pertemps Group
• Katie Webb, deputy CEO, Jericho Foundation

Led by the mayor of the West Midlands, the WMCA brings together 18 local councils to oversee the transfer of powers and funding from Whitehall to the West Midlands.

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