Young people from across the region will take centre stage at Walsall Market this December, showcasing their creativity and entrepreneurial skills through a vibrant pop-up event.
On Wednesday 10 December, from 9am to 12:30pm, students from St Thomas More Catholic School, Willenhall E-Act Academy, Shireland CBSO and Heart of Birmingham Vocational College will take over market stalls, offering a range of handmade and festive products.
Visitors can expect to find items such as Christmas wreaths, wooden decorations and resin crafts, including keyrings, pens and guitar picks – all created and sold by the students themselves.
The initiative forms part of the Black Country Careers Hub, delivered in partnership with Walsall Council and supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority. The programme gives young people valuable, real-world experience in designing, producing and selling products, helping to develop key skills in enterprise and business.
Pop-up market opportunities like this have been running across the West Midlands for several years, providing students with hands-on learning that bridges education and employment.
“ Supporting initiatives like this is central to our ambitions for Walsall, by young people the opportunity to showcase their creativity and entrepreneurial skills at Walsall Market. These pop-up stalls demonstrate how education, enterprise and local spaces can work together to create thriving and vibrant communities. We look forward to seeing this grow and become a regular feature that benefits both our young people and the local economy. “
Councillor Adrian Andrew
Deputy Leader at Walsall Council
The event also aims to encourage more schools and colleges to take part in future pop-up markets, with Walsall Market continuing to offer space for similar initiatives throughout the year.
Schools and colleges interested in getting involved can contact Eileen.steventon@wmca.org.uk for more information.
To learn more about the Careers Hub, visit the West Midlands Combined Authority website.