I Can Dudley
A group of local people from underrepresented groups have been given the opportunity to undertake a paid work placement with the “I Can Dudley” project.
Dudley Council and Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust are running the new pilot programme which is funded by the Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund. This cross organisational initiative opens up the opportunity for local people of all ages to work in local authority and NHS settings.
“I Can Dudley” is particularly aimed at underrepresented groups including people from ethnically diverse communities, individuals with a disabilities and care leavers, giving them an opportunity to access support, mentoring and working experience to develop their skills and confidence, to provide them with the practical knowledge and abilities to fulfil successful careers.
In April 2024 the authority took on its first cohort of paid work placements, 50% of whom have successfully secured permanent jobs including two who have been successful in securing permanent roles at the council.
In September 2024, the second cohort of nine paid work placements were successfully awarded posts in administration and street scene roles, and one Nature Reserve Warden, across the council and all officially began their roles at the end of September.
The admin placements are with children’s services, adult social care, law and governance and chief executives.
The Street Scene team includes frontline services and administration with the former undertaking grass cutting, weed removal, strimming, hedge maintenance, working in parks, dealing with overgrown vegetation, litter picking, assisting with fly tipping removal, working with enforcement colleagues to investigate fly tipping incidents and the latter dealing with orders and invoices, stock control, project work, and working with community volunteers.
This year, Dudley Council and Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust have collectively supported 30 local residents into paid work placements in our organisations as part of the "I Can Dudley" initiative.
Councillor Damian Corfield, Cabinet Member for Highways and Environmental Services said:
“I am very pleased that Dudley Council has afforded these bright, young people the opportunity to join busy council teams. The experience they will gain over the next few months will be invaluable in setting them up for their future careers. Our officers will mentor them and deploy them to frontline and back-office duties once they’ve received the training required”.
One of the placement staff, Kane said:
“I am over the moon and really happy to be working for Dudley Council, I absolutely love it here. The Street Scene team are great, I’m learning so much from them. My confidence and wellbeing has massively improved, I’m so thankful for this opportunity”.