Employment Schemes: Sutton Coldfield

Sector Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) are a successful employment support offer through which participants gain the skills and experience needed to move into work. Nearly 100,000 SWAPs were delivered in 2025/26, an increase of almost 15,000 on the previous year. We are expanding placements further as part of the Youth Guarantee, with an ambitious target of 115,000 SWAP starts in 2026/27.

Specific SWAP opportunities are driven by local labour market need and employer demand. In the Birmingham Local Authority area, which includes Royal Sutton Coldfield, there were over 4,000 SWAP starts last year, supporting recruitment across a broad range of sectors including administration, construction and logistics, among others.

Whilst nationally SWAP participation remains strong, with over 476,000 SWAPs starts across Great Britain up to March 2026, demand for SWAP provision is employer-led and responsive to changing labour market conditions. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate the number of people who will benefit from SWAPs specifically in Royal Sutton Coldfield over the next five years. However, DWP does publish data on the take-up of SWAPs and the movement into employment for individuals who start a SWAP. The number of SWAP starts is published by Local Authority area and by sector on a quarterly basis: Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) Management Information, April 2021 to March 2026 - GOV.UK

Further, evidence published in the Department’s 2025 SWAP Impact Assessment demonstrates the programme delivers positive employment outcomes. The assessment found that, for every 100 people starting a SWAP, around 13 more were in employment after two years compared with a similar group who did not participate. Participants also spent, on average, 90 additional days in employment over a 24‑month period.

DWP and Jobcentre Plus teams continue to work closely with employers across Birmingham and Solihull to maximise opportunities for residents and stand ready to support employers wishing to participate in SWAP provision.