Mayor Richard Parker has agreed the deal with the Football Association as well as the charitable foundations of Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers to help tackle unemployment.
Figures show almost 29,000 young people in the West Midlands are currently out of work and it is hoped this new partnership will offer opportunities in the region.
The Premier League will work with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to support the delivery of the West Midlands Works Plan, launched by the Mayor earlier this month.
Mr Parker said said: “In an ever-changing world, our football clubs have been a constant part of our local culture for the last 150 years, while making a huge contribution to our regional economy.
“Whether top-flight or grassroots, our football clubs work hard to give back to the communities they sit at the heart of and offer a range of opportunities for all residents, particularly young people looking for new skills and careers.
(L-R) Clare Sumner, (chief policy and impact officer, Football Association Premier League), Guy Rippon, (head of the Aston Villa Foundation), Mayor Richard Parker (centre, front), Will Clowes, (director of the Wolves Foundation), Helene Dearn, (execu
(L-R) Clare Sumner, (chief policy and impact officer, Football Association Premier League), Guy Rippon, (head of the Aston Villa Foundation), Mayor Richard Parker (centre, front), Will Clowes, (director of the Wolves Foundation), Helene Dearn, (execu
“I’m looking forward to working with the Premier League as part of my West Midlands Works plan, to connect thousands more people to work experience, training and jobs, helping them to change their lives for the better.”
Clare Sumner, Premier League chief policy and impact officer, said: “The Premier League supports more than a million young people each year to lead healthier lives and reach their potential through our network of over 100 professional club charities.
“Clubs supported by the Premier League are already deeply embedded in their local communities and, by working in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority, we want to create more opportunities to enable the region’s young people to progress and thrive.”
Guy Rippon, head of the Aston Villa Foundation, added: “We are delighted to work alongside colleagues at the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Premier League to support the transition of young people into employment across Birmingham, as part of the West Midlands Works Plan.
“We have a wide range of projects for children and young people from inner city areas. These projects help to raise aspirations and attainment, providing mentoring and support whilst offering educational programmes, training, skills and qualifications.
“Young people want to engage with football clubs, and we have a unique role we can play in upskilling and connecting young people with employment opportunities in sport and wider industries connected with our game.”
And Will Clowes, director of the Wolves Foundation, said: “Thanks to the hard work over the last 12 months of the representative staff from the Premier League, WMCA, Aston Villa Foundation and the team here at Wolves Foundation, we are delighted to be making real progress.
“We hope that this new local approach, supported by Richard Parker, will provide access to greater opportunities for young people and adults in our region through accessible opportunities provided by both our club’s charities.
“We know that football unites people like nothing else in society – it’s powerful, it’s engaging and it’s our common connector.
“We are all aligned with the strategic priority to give local people the best chance of training, developing skills and employment and we look forward to working together as part of this exciting new partnership.”