Our projects - jobs, skills, and people
The East Birmingham Programme leads, and is an important partner, across a number of projects that help people in East Birmingham and the wider EBNS area to:
- gain access to employment and training opportunities
- develop new skills
- realise their potential.
We also work closely with education providers and businesses to give people the tools they need to create these opportunities.
Coalition for Impact
Building on the successful Ready to Level Programme, this project continues to develop a network of organisations working in partnership with the East Birmingham Programme and strategic partners in the public, private and higher education sectors.
The project provides grants, business development support and access to gap funding for socially trading organisations to:
- encourage further social investment
- allow companies to limit their dependence on funding grants
Community Enterprise Hubs
Providing grants of up to £25,000 for local business enterprises to deliver tailored business support to more community enterprises.
The support provided by Local Community Enterprise Hubs will strengthen community enterprises by:
- enhancing their business growth
- improving local and trading potential whilst improving access to social finance
Each hub will benefit from a comprehensive business support programme delivered by an experienced business diagnostics provider.
I-CAN
The Integrated Care Board (ICB) leads on this project supported by the East Birmingham Programme team.
The aim is to pool vacancies for entry-level jobs from across all health trusts in the EBNS area, and create 1 pathway of training and support.
Local partner organisations are involved for local outreach, pre-employment and functional skills support.
I-Can has set up a Career's Zone in the Heartlands Hospital foyer. It provides:
- help to anyone seeking employment and training for entry level roles
- upskilling in the NHS
In the first 3 months, nearly 800 people visited the hub.
If you want to find out more about the I-Can Programme and how it has supported our residents, watch our short videos:
Partnership for People and Places
This project works with secondary schools in East Birmingham to provide pupils with meaningful careers support.
This is achieved through:
- 1-2-1 coaching and mentoring
- working with parents
- confidence and aspiration building activities and events
The project supports schools to build links with local employers to help them access placements and work experience opportunities.
Phase 1 of this project successfully supported 215 students with careers coaching and mentoring, leading to 60 young people making a positive transition into further education, training, or employment.
Phase 2 involves intensive work with the council and University of Birmingham City REDI team, alongside other partners.
Page last updated: 10 October 2025
