More than 9,000 people have been handed free or discounted travel to work to help them settle into a new job under the region’s award winning Workwise scheme over the last eight years.

Under the scheme run by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) in collaboration with local bus, rail and tram operators new starters are offered free public transport for the first eight weeks after taking up a new job and a 50% discount for a further four weeks.

The aim of the ground-breaking scheme, which was first launched by TfWM’s predecessor organisation Centro in 2003, is to remove a key barrier for those starting a new job – paying for transport before they have received their first pay packet.

Now Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands has urged more people who are about to start work, or businesses hiring new staff, to find out more about Workwise and sign up for the support.

The Mayor’s message to jobseekers comes just days after he highlighted Workwise during his high-profile speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

A recent survey of previous users found that 81% of respondents were still in employment six months after getting Workwise support with 52% saying they would have been unable to accept the work without that support.

For example Andy Poole signed up for Workwise when he started work as a decarbonisation manager with TfWM after a period out of work following an unexpected redundancy.

He said: “It’s brilliant because it meant I didn’t have to pay out before starting the new job. With my travel costs covered for the first couple of months it was one less thing to add to what was going to be a large credit card bill.

“It’s really helpful in a practical way and I also felt valued – someone appreciates it’s a difficult situation when you start a new job and don’t get paid until the end of the month.”

For TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Workwise is a scheme which shows how transport services can support the region’s economic growth plans by supporting people into work and helping businesses retain staff.

It will be particularly crucial in helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds gain a foothold on a new job or career – crucial to the Mayor of the West Midlands delivering on his youth employment plan.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “Youth unemployment is double the national average, and I’m committed to changing that. It’s not just about jobs; we need to tackle the hidden barriers that hold people back.

“If you’re a young person starting at college, a new job or an apprenticeship,  the challenge of travel is very real and it limits choices, possibilities and opportunities.

“The Workwise scheme has opened up public transport for many, helping over a thousand people find and keep jobs each year. Taking the stress out of getting to work - especially when starting a new job - is key, which is why my youth plan includes access to transport to help address youth unemployment."

Sign up for Workwise via the TfWM website.