We are delighted to be co-hosting, with Weightmans LLP,  the launch of Spring Housing’s latest research report, The Benefits of Youth?

Funded by Commonweal Housing and authored by Thea Raisbeck (a Research Associate of the Centre for the New Midlands), this report tracked the progress of young people in commissioned supported housing who participated in a pilot scheme delivered by the Department of Work and Pensions and the West Midlands Combined Authority. The pilot sought to address the barriers and disincentives to entering employment for young people in supported housing.

We will be joined by a range of partners to discuss the challenges and opportunities for young people in supported housing, and what we can do as a region and as a nation to better link together housing and employment for both young people and wider supported housing populations.

Registration for this event is essential by visiting our event booking page.  Please note that this event has a limited capacity of 60.

Research partners:

Event partners;

The Centre for the New Midlands is delighted to be hosting a roundtable, in partnership with Talent Today, focussed on Skills to Success: Bridging Education and Employment.

The focus of our roundtable:

Across the Midlands, employers continue to report difficulties finding people with the right skills and workplace experience, while many young people and graduates struggle to translate their education into meaningful employment. As the economy evolves, ensuring that our talent pipeline meets the needs of modern employers is increasingly critical to the region’s long-term prosperity.

This roundtable will bring together a select group of leaders to discuss how we can strengthen the connection between education pathways and real-world employment opportunities.

The discussion, over a three course meal, will focus on three key questions:

• What capabilities do employers most need, and where are current education pathways falling short?
• How can employers play a more active role in shaping education and career pathways?
• What practical steps could most improve the transition from education into employment over the next five years?

The session will be an informal and open discussion designed to surface ideas, insights, and potential collaborations that could help shape future work across the Midlands.  Our event sponsors, Talent Today, is a specialist IT recruitment consultancy delivering carefully assessed contractor talent across project delivery, software development, cloud and cybersecurity.  Talent Today have been members of our Reimagining the Region network since 2024 and we are delighted to be welcoming Gary Wills (CEO) to the lunch.

We are extremely conscious of how much work is being led across the region to try to tackle some of these enormous challenges, but crucially, these challenges still persist which are preventing young people fulfil their true potential and business from recruiting the talent it needs.

To express your interest in attending, please email events@thenewmidlands.org.uk

(Please note that priority on invitations will be for members of our Reimagining the Region network – if you and your organisation are not yet members, please click here for more information on how to join)

The Centre for the New Midlands is delighted to host ‘Rent Controls and Raising the Tenant Voice: the answer to building a fairer, more affordable Private Rented Sector?’— a timely discussion exploring some of the most pressing challenges facing renters and policymakers today.

As housing affordability pressures continue to grow, this event will bring together experts, practitioners, and stakeholders to examine the potential role of rent controls and stronger tenant representation in creating a more equitable private rented sector. Through informed debate and evidence-led discussion, participants will consider how policy reforms can balance the needs of tenants, landlords, and communities across the region.

The event is generously sponsored by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, whose support reflects a shared commitment to tackling housing inequality and improving outcomes for renters.

This event will be held from 09:15-12:30 on Tuesday 7th July at The Banqueting Suite, Birmingham Council House, Birmingham. Breakfast rolls will be served from 09.15, with the event itself commencing promptly at 09.45. The session is due to finish at 11:55, with teas and coffees served after the discussions.

This event is free to attend and is open to the public.  Registration is essential by clicking here

With special thanks to our key sponsors, AtkinsRealis, Unity Trust Bank, West Midlands Housing Association Partnership (WMHAP) and E.ON for making this event for the region possible.

Tickets are available by visiting our booking page