West Midlands Collaboration Partnership
West Midlands: Working together to build fairer systems for education, skills, employment and wellbeing
The Fair Education Alliance is excited to launch a new Collaboration Partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) - bringing together young people, parents and carers, schools, colleges, local authorities, employers, philanthropists, community organisations and FEA members to design fairer systems for children and young people across the region.
The West Midlands is a region that has long powered innovation, from its industrial roots to its green and digital future. This partnership will build on that ambition, joining up education, skills, and employment so that every young person can shape and thrive in the opportunities ahead.
The regional picture
Around 2.9 million residents across seven local authority areas
One of the youngest and most diverse populations in the UK
Rapid growth in green, digital and advanced manufacturing sectors
Persistent inequalities in education, health, wellbeing and employment
92 Fair Education Alliance member organisations support children and young people in the West Midlands.
Members are active in 1,151 education settings in the region.
Too many young people still face fragmented support systems, inconsistent employer engagement, and unequal access to high-quality training and health/wellbeing support.
This partnership is about changing that, together.
About the partnership
Over the next three years, we will work together to:
Join up systems across education, skills, employment, youth work, health and wellbeing
Co-design new approaches with young people, parents/carers and communities at the centre
Strengthen employer collaboration in green, digital and future-facing industries
Build cross-sector leadership, connecting businesses, philanthropists, educators and civic leaders
Pilot collaborative projects that address the root causes of inequality, not symptoms
A particular focus of our work will be supporting transitions into post-16 education and employment, ensuring support around wellbeing, belonging, and readiness is not left behind.
This is a partnership built on optimism, ambition and a shared belief that collaboration across sectors can transform life chances.
Each Collaboration Partnership receives over £500,000 in grant funding and tailored support from the Fair Education Alliance - linking local insight with national influence.
“I want young people to have the best start in life, no matter their background, and the backing of the Fair Education Alliance is a vote of confidence in our region that supports my mission to deliver just that. Investing in our young people in this way gives them the chance to achieve their full potential and help build our region’s future prosperity.”
“Bloomberg is committed to expanding opportunities for young people, and the Neighbourhood to National Strategy reflects the kind of place-based leadership needed to drive lasting change. We’re proud to support the Fair Education Alliance and work alongside Mayors who are championing better outcomes for children and young people in the communities that need it most.”
Neighbourhood to National
The West Midlands Collaboration Partnership is part of the FEA’s Neighbourhood to National strategy. Insights from this work will feed into the Mayoral Combined Authority Network, a forum for all Metro Mayors and Combined Authority teams to share learning, align strategies, and act collectively with and for young people.
With a strong track record of partnering with cities across the UK and globally, Bloomberg brings unique expertise in convening leaders and stakeholders to accelerate systemic change. Bloomberg is joined by founding funder UBS, whose support for place-based change has been pivotal in progress for children and young people. Long-term FEA supporters A&O Shearman, Barclays Life Skills, IG Group, Mission44, and Paul Hamlyn Foundation are joined by The Dulverton Trust and Stratton Chase to ensure the success of this ambitious strategy.
