Black Country Skills Shop
Black Country Skills Shop
Training
Organiser:
Alison Marshall
Telephone:
01384 363790
Website:
Black Country Skills Shop
Job Title:
Head of Adult Learning
Address:
Unit L76, Merry Hill Shopping Centre, BRIERLEY HILL, West Midlands, DY5 1SW
The Black Country Skills Shop is Dudley College's employment and skills hub based at Merry Hill. Working with local employers and the Department for Work and Pensions, it provides free and funded training, sector-based work academy programmes, recruitment support, employability advice, and progression opportunities to help adults gain skills, secure employment, retrain, or advance their careers
What the Skills Shop Offers
Employment Support
Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) linked directly to local job vacancies.
Pre-employment training tailored to employer requirements.
Work experience opportunities.
Guaranteed interviews with participating employers.
Recruitment support and candidate preparation.
Training and Retraining
The Skills Shop supports adults who want to:
Upskill in their current role.
Retrain for a new career.
Gain qualifications that improve employment prospects.
Access free or funded training opportunities.
Sectors Supported
Programmes have been delivered in areas including:
Retail and Customer Service
Hospitality
Business Administration
Cleaning
Security
Warehousing and Forklift Truck Operations
Transport
Care and Health & Social Care
Civil Service opportunities (including DWP-related roles)
Support for Learners
The Skills Shop provides:
Initial assessments and advice sessions.
Literacy and numeracy screening with progression routes into Functional Skills or ESOL where appropriate.
National Express bus passes for eligible learners.
Free lunches during training programmes.
Ongoing support to help learners progress into employment, volunteering or further study.
Support for Employers
Bespoke recruitment and training solutions.
Tailor-made pre-employment programmes.
Access to a pool of work-ready candidates.
Employee upskilling and retraining programmes.
Apprenticeship opportunities.
Location
The Skills Shop is based in the Merry Hill Centre, Brierley Hill, providing an accessible town-centre location for adults seeking employment and skills development.
The Black Country Skills Shop is Dudley College's employment and skills hub based at Merry Hill. Working with local employers and the Department for Work and Pensions, it provides free and funded training, sector-based work academy programmes, recruitment support, employability advice, and progression opportunities to help adults gain skills, secure employment, retrain, or advance their careers
What the Skills Shop Offers
Employment Support
Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) linked directly to local job vacancies.
Pre-employment training tailored to employer requirements.
Work experience opportunities.
Guaranteed interviews with participating employers.
Recruitment support and candidate preparation.
Training and Retraining
The Skills Shop supports adults who want to:
Upskill in their current role.
Retrain for a new career.
Gain qualifications that improve employment prospects.
Access free or funded training opportunities.
Sectors Supported
Programmes have been delivered in areas including:
Retail and Customer Service
Hospitality
Business Administration
Cleaning
Security
Warehousing and Forklift Truck Operations
Transport
Care and Health & Social Care
Civil Service opportunities (including DWP-related roles)
Support for Learners
The Skills Shop provides:
Initial assessments and advice sessions.
Literacy and numeracy screening with progression routes into Functional Skills or ESOL where appropriate.
National Express bus passes for eligible learners.
Free lunches during training programmes.
Ongoing support to help learners progress into employment, volunteering or further study.
Support for Employers
Bespoke recruitment and training solutions.
Tailor-made pre-employment programmes.
Access to a pool of work-ready candidates.
Employee upskilling and retraining programmes.
Apprenticeship opportunities.
Location
The Skills Shop is based in the Merry Hill Centre, Brierley Hill, providing an accessible town-centre location for adults seeking employment and skills development.
How to Find Us
Black Country Skills Shop,
Unit L76, Merry Hill Shopping Centre,
BRIERLEY HILL,
West Midlands,
DY5 1SW
Times & Dates
Session Details:
Days of the week:
Time of Day:
Costs and Booking Information
Cost:
£0.00
Group Information
Coverages:
All of Dudley Borough
Target Audiences:
Adults
Suitable for ages:
19-70
Facilities:
Parking available, Toilet facilities, Wheelchair accessible
Notes
Eligibility Notes:
All customers must be over the age of 19, unemployed and claiming benefits.
Organiser:
Alison Marshall
Telephone:
01384 363790
Website:
Black Country Skills Shop
Email:
alison.marshall@dudleycol.ac.uk
Job Title:
Head of Adult Learning
Address:
Unit L76, Merry Hill Shopping Centre, BRIERLEY HILL, West Midlands, DY5 1SW
Service Information
Categories:
Training, Support to get a job
Eligibility Requirements?
Links for Information
Website:
Black Country Skills Shop
Last updated 1st Sep 2026