Telephone: 01902 366 911

Website: www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk

Contact: Jeanette McFarland - Chief Operating Officer

ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions is the UK and Ireland’s leading manufacturer and supplier of locks, hardware and access control for buildings and every day we help you to experience a safer and more open world.

We provide everything from mechanical and elctromechanical locks, digital door locks, smart access solutions, high-security doors, fire doors and high-performance and decorative hardware.

Right from the earliest design stage, our products are developed to meet the highest standards for performance, safety and security and are supplied to a broad range of sectors including residential (Private and social housing), education, healthcare, commercial offices, leisure and transport. Our tailored approach to each individual site comes from knowing that each building environment has its own demands that need to be met.

We’re proud of our Patron member status with our UKI Head Office based in Willenhall - an area rich in lock manufacturing heritage dating back hundreds of years and we’re pleased to be continuing to lead the way in providing innovative opening solutions in the heart of the Black Country and to be the first manufacturing company to have Patron status.

ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UKI is part of the ASSA ABLOY Group.

Website: https://www.freeths.co.uk/

Contact: Nicola Dolman - Senior Business Development Manager

Freeths is a leading full-service UK law firm with a strong presence in the West Midlands. While our office is located in Birmingham, we are dedicated to serving the needs of businesses and individuals across the Black Country. Our ethos is “do the right thing,” recently exemplified by our landmark High Court victory against the Post Office with 555 sub-postmasters, exposing Britain’s largest miscarriage of justice and leading to the quashing of hundreds of criminal convictions. Our friendly, straight-talking approach, combined with our expertise and integrity, ensures we deliver smart legal services and a dynamic, inclusive, and rewarding experience.

Recognised in The Times Best Law Firms 2024 and consistently ranked in the top tier of the Legal 500 and Chambers guides, Freeths offers a refreshing change. We are confident, caring, client-focused, and great to work with. Our lawyers work hard to understand our clients’ needs, providing fast, high-quality results with jargon-free advice, care, sensitivity, and attention to detail.

Our inclusive attitude and eagerness to innovate give us an edge in the legal field. We are proud to be nationally recognized as an equal opportunities employer, championing diversity and inclusion within our firm and the wider legal sector. As proud Patron members of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Freeths is committed to being a leading member of the Midlands legal landscape, dedicated to supporting and growing with the local community.

Telephone: 0121 6027777

Website: https://www.halesowen.ac.uk/

Contact: Hayley Edwards - Head of Marketing

At the heart of our community, Halesowen College continues to lead the way in providing opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds. With over 7,000 students enrolled across traditional and vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and higher education programmes, the College is committed to transforming lives and driving regional growth.

We are ambitious for the College, our student community, relationships with employers, and the collective future we can build together. Our goal is to be exceptional, to inspire all our learners, regardless of their background or ability, and to enable them to flourish both personally and professionally as they prepare for the next steps in their journeys.

The College’s modern campuses and state-of-the-art facilities offer a dynamic and supportive environment where students can thrive. A range of programmes are available for school leavers, with further courses designed to help adults up-skill and re-train. Halesowen College is here for everyone; paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for our community.

We are committed to making a positive impact within our region by meeting the skills needs of our local area and believe in the power of education and skills development to reduce unemployment and ensure that everyone can access sustainable employment. Relationships with employers and stakeholders are integral to this, helping us shape a curriculum that addresses the skills gap and provides our local economy with the knowledge, skills and ambition needed to boost productivity and stimulate growth.

Together, we can build a brighter, more prosperous future for our community.

Telephone: 01922 457686

Website: www.in-comm.co.uk

Contact: Rebecca Phillips - Chief Operating Officer

Rated by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’, In-Comm is now one of the UK’s leading providers of training and business services, working across more than 10 sectors and with over 250 different companies.

It has developed a simple, but effective approach to bridging the country’s skills gap.

This focuses on building strong relationships with employers to ensure they get access to programmes that will deliver them the right type of learner, the right upskilling opportunities and the specialist assistance they need to improve quality or business systems.

Our training Academies in Aldridge and Telford have received £7m of investment to create two cutting-edge facilities and we have a proven track record of attracting some of the most experienced and skilled trainers in industry.

Whether you are upskilling, developing your workforce of the future or looking for a partner to manage all of your training requirements, we can help. Don’t take our word for it, even Ofsted think we are outstanding.

Telephone: 01902 864194

Website: https://www.junipertraining.co.uk/

Contact: Samantha Broomhall - Head of Business Development

Juniper Training, is a leading training provider dedicated to unlocking the potential of individuals and businesses alike. Juniper is committed to providing flexible and innovative training solutions to help businesses and individuals grow. Operating for over 40 years, Juniper is one of the UK’s most experienced providers of training and Apprenticeships. Our team of sector experts, with a wealth of diverse experience, encourage ambition and growth throughout their delivery.

We support in excess of 2000 students per year and work with over 800 employers. Rated as GOOD by Ofsted in all areas of provision, we are ideally placed to support students, adults and employers in bridging the skills gaps between education and employment.

Telephone: 01902 371000

Website: www.paycare.org

Contact: Anthony Burns – Chief Executive

With a history in Wolverhampton dating back to 1874, Paycare is passionate about helping both businesses and their employees benefit from optimum health and wellbeing - physically, mentally, and financially.

As a proud Patron of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Paycare works with many organisations across the region to implement and deliver cost-effective employee wellbeing strategies. Not only does its range of Health Cash Plans enable staff to feel empowered to look after their health and wellbeing, but employers can reap the rewards of a happy, healthy and subsequently more productive workforce, as well as gain a competitive edge by ensuring the long-term retention of staff.

Whether these Health Cash Plans are employee or employer-paid, individuals can claim money back that they’ve spent on everyday healthcare costs such as optical and dental, professional therapies such as physiotherapy, hypnotherapy and reflexology, as well as inoculations and vaccinations and much more.*

Paycare is committed to encouraging its Policyholders to improve their overall quality of life, with its services encompassing almost every aspect of an individual’s health, including their physical, mental and financial health. Paycare Perks is an exclusive online discount platform which allows Policyholders to take advantage of savings on everyday purchases, including cinema tickets, gym membership and grocery shopping.

A hugely valuable Employee Assistance Programme provides confidential and one-to-one support and guidance covering topics from financial and workplace stress to mental health issues and bereavements.

Its Digital Doctor resource offers 24/7 access to a qualified GP consultation service, as well as online health assessments.

And, thanks to its commitment to donating every spare penny not spent on enhancing its services for Policyholders, Paycare has donated £2million to a variety of local charities, worthy causes and initiatives to date – and is eager to continue growing this figure with support from its Policyholders across the Black Country.

Paycare Key Stats

• Supporting Black Country employers and employees for over 140 years
• Over £2m donated to UK charities, initiatives and causes to date
• More than 80% of premiums received in 2017 paid back in claim payments to Policyholders

*Please see the benefit table for full details of cover.

Telephone: 0121 667 5000

Website: https://www.sandwell.ac.uk/

Contact: Claire Williams - Director of Communications, Public Affairs and External Engagement

The Sandwell Colleges are proud to be a patron of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, playing a pivotal role in the region’s economic growth and development.

As the largest Further Education Provider and Number 1 for achievement for full-time courses in the West Midlands, we are committed to working collaboratively with our 2000+ employers and partners to help address skills needs across the region.

Learners are at the heart of our business and we continue to invest in our skills hubs and learning campuses, dedicating a total of £38m on new facilities to create the specialisms needed for the future and to enhance life experiences. With a focus on ambitious achievement and progression for learners, future focused careers and skills and powerful partnerships we aim to drive growth and prosperity across the region and in our local communities.

Our transformative vision is to ensure the progression of young people and adults in Sandwell, Birmingham and from across the Black Country to successful and brighter futures, enabling immersion into real-world opportunities and a curriculum that is enriched and vibrant.

Delivering specialist and academic career-focused programmes, including 50+ qualifications ranging from Health, Humanities and STEM to Digital, Construction and Engineering, we also support workforce development and skills growth by providing a pipeline of skilled talent through apprenticeships and tailored training solutions, helping businesses access government funding to thrive in an evolving job market.

Reach out to us for expert support at sandwell.ac.uk

Telephone: 01922 627555

Website: www.startingpointrecruitment.co.uk

Contact: Paul Cadman - Chief Executive

SPR. Recruitment but on a really good day.

First and foremost we are a people powered company, committed to finding great people to fill your roles, and finding great roles for our people to fill. We do this better than other recruiters by trying harder and creating better partnerships so we can understand your needs better.

Over the last 20 years, our specialist recruitment partners have helped transform businesses in the West Midlands, across a variety of sectors from Call Centre & Customer Service, Education & Training, Executive and Management, Hospitality & Catering, Manufacturing & Production, Public Sector, Government and Social Care.

With offices in Walsall & Birmingham, the heart of the region, we connect great, hard-working talent, with the some of the best companies and organisations in the country.

Our experience, allows you to make big leaps and stay competitive in today’s conditions. We try hard to inspire, support and guide everyone we work with, so we can help you get better outcomes.

SPR also has a regional job board chamber, and members can use sprsearch.co.uk

Telephone: 01902 321272

Website: www.wlv.ac.uk

Contact: Vikki Potts - Director of Business School & Head of Law School

Home to some of the brightest academic minds, talented students and leading-edge facilities that help over 1,000 businesses each year find solutions to the toughest business challenges. The University of Wolverhampton’s academic experts can offer specialised, sector-specific advice and inject fresh thinking and new ideas into your business. Visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/business

Website: https://www.thehallswolverhampton.co.uk/

Contact: Crissie Rushton - General Manager of University of Wolverhampton at The Halls

An iconic Grade II listed space, with a rich and varied musical history and a goal to bring live music back to the Midlands.

The 3,404 capacity ‘University of Wolverhampton at The Civic Hall’ and 1,289 capacity ‘University of Wolverhampton at The Wulfrun Hall’ has recently undergone a major multi-million-pound refurbishment programme, before opening its doors to the public in 2023 and bringing live music back to the Midlands.

An incredible 25 shows over the course of three weeks were hosted as part of the reopening of University of Wolverhampton at The Halls. Kicking off with Blur, the venue saw performances from Generation Sex featuring Billy Idol, McFly and professional wrestler The Undertaker, with an exciting future ahead.

Telephone: 01922 68888

Website: www.walsallcollege.ac.uk

Contact: Sally Day - Head of Sales & Marketing

We are one of the most successful colleges in the country – a place where more than 14,000 people study vocational technical qualifications, apprenticeships and higher education programmes each year.

Our Mission

“Walsall College is uniquely and proudly vocational. Our greatest passion is unleashing the potential of individuals, communities and businesses; our greatest legacy is the talent of our students: skilled, professional and enterprising.”

We Listen To Employers, We Help Create Jobs

We work closely with more than 1000 employers, along with the Black Country LEP and West Midlands Combined Authority, to ensure our students develop the qualifications, attributes and work-related skills to match the region’s growing employment sectors now and in the future. We support the creation of job opportunities for people across the region and help business grow – fuelling economic development, inward investment and ambition for everyone in the area.

Supporting People into Higher Levels of Study and Jobs

We are an exciting place to study, where everyone is welcomed and supported in reaching their full potential, whether that is higher levels of study or into employment. We have an extensive range of facilities with the latest state-of-the-art equipment modelled on industry standards, so you can be sure that you will be gaining skills that employers are looking for.