A COOL £51 million of funding has been given to the Black Country to help tackle the worrying problem of unemployment faced by young people across Dudley borough.

Funds will be used to support people aged from 15 to 29-years-old by helping to provide them with a better future in life through employment, training and education.

The £51 million funding, obtained after the four Black Country council’s – Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton – came together in 2014 to try and find a solution to the mounting unemployment issues facing young people, will help create the 'Black Country Impact'.

Dudley Council leader, Councillor Pete Lowe, welcomed the funding. He said: “There can be no doubt that these are challenging times for some young adults in the Black Country.

“Through the Black Country Impact, we are determined to tackle the barriers that may be preventing some young adults from becoming all that they can.

“Impact gives its partners the ability to work across the sub-region, co-ordinating activities and simplifying access to services for young adults.”

In searching for their unemployment solution, the four councils were soon joined by the Black Country Talent Match, a project led by Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council which is funded through the Big Lottery.

Together, the partnership has proved successful in obtaining approval from the Department of Work and Pensions for £34 million of new European Union funding which has been matched by a further £8 million from the Big Lottery Fund.

Cllr Lowe added: “With the European Social Fund and Youth Employment Initiative funding, Impact is able to provide a depth of service that would not be achievable for our young adults by any other means currently available.

“Through specialised services ranging from coaching to managed work placements, Impact work will ultimately give our young adults the best employability prospects for the future, benefiting both them and our communities.

“The success of Impact will not only benefit Dudley borough, but it will benefit the whole of the Black Country.”