The Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker has launched the region’s new growth plan.
The plan aims to unlock the potential in the West Midlands and create 100,000 good jobs in fast-growing industries, getting tens of thousands of residents into work, improving public transport, and building 120,000 homes.
Sandwell will be a key delivery partner to ensure that the plan succeeds, and it already aligns with our own ‘Sandwell Story’ campaign, launched in June. The five areas for jobs growth also very closely match Sandwell’s own demographics and business profile with over 59,000 people currently employed in those areas in over 4,000 Sandwell businesses.
Sandwell Council Leader Councillor Kerrie Carmichael said: “It is clear that both the Mayor of the West Midlands and here in Sandwell we agree as to how we can bring real tangible growth to our communities.
“I want to see real and lasting jobs which bring real and lasting prosperity to our towns and the Growth Plan highlights the sectors we need to sustain and attract into the Black Country.
“I’m really pleased that the Mayor’s Growth Plan is so aligned to Sandwell’s own vision. Only last month I was proud to launch our Sandwell Story; a project to celebrate, champion and bring people together in making Sandwell a great place to live, learn, work and visit.
“Success to me means raising aspirations and improving outcomes for people. We will help people to make it in Sandwell, to make it in the Black Country and make it in the whole of the West Midlands.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The council and I are united in our mission to build affordable homes, deliver reliable transport, and foster thriving businesses for everyone, and my Growth Plan provides the roadmap to achieving that.
“It will unleash Sandwell’s untapped potential and build on its strengths in key sectors like clean energy, advanced manufacturing and professional services. It will champion hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses, enabling them to flourish and create the skilled, well-paid jobs our young people deserve.
“It’s also about revitalising communities and creating places we can all be proud to call home. Projects like the West Bromwich Town Centre Masterplan are central to this vision.
“My Growth Plan, developed with businesses and backed by government, is the key to unlocking opportunity and improving lives for everyone.”
Sandwell employment statistics based on the Growth Plan areas of focus
The Growth Plan sets out five areas for priority job growth and our figures below show that Sandwell is in a prime position to help the Growth Plan to succeed:
Green tech and clean energy
- £209m GVA
- 1,910 people jobs
- 65 businesses
Advanced manufacturing and electric vehicles
- £1.5bn GVA
- 20,280 jobs
- 1,100 businesses
Health tech and medical innovation
- £903m GVA
- 18,750 jobs
- 485 businesses
Digital, tech and creative
- £55m GVA
- 1,215 jobs
- 310 businesses
Professional and financial services
- £1.5bn GVA
- 17,605 jobs
- 2,105 businesses
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