The West Midlands Interchange (WMI) has generated more than £7 million in social value across South Staffordshire, Staffordshire and Wolverhampton between 2022 and 2025. The findings, published in the development’s first Social Value Impact Report, highlight early benefits for local employment, education, businesses and community initiatives as construction progresses.
Key takeaways
- More than £7 million in social value has been delivered across the region.
- £4.81 million was spent with local suppliers, including £2.8 million with smaller businesses.
- The project created 55 full-time equivalent local roles.
- More than 690 hours of education sessions and over 500 weeks of apprenticeships and T-Level placements were provided.
- WMI is expected to support up to 8,500 jobs over its lifetime.
Local investment strengthens the regional economy
The report attributes £4.9 million of the social value total to local business growth and the wider regional economy. WMI’s procurement activity directed £4.81 million to local suppliers, with micro, small and medium-sized enterprises receiving £2.8 million.
This spending is intended to retain more of the development’s economic benefits within the surrounding area, while helping local firms build capacity and access opportunities linked to one of the UK’s largest logistics projects.
Jobs, skills and education take centre stage
A further £2.4 million of social value was linked to employment and skills. Between 2022 and 2025, the project generated 55 full-time equivalent local roles, including opportunities for people who face barriers to entering work.
WMI also delivered more than 690 hours of sessions in schools, colleges and universities. Young people gained practical experience through over 500 weeks of apprenticeships and T-Level placements, helping them explore careers in construction, engineering and logistics.
Student success illustrates the project’s impact
One example highlighted in the report is Viktoriia, who undertook a T-Level placement with contractor Winvic at WMI. She later secured a permanent position as a trainee site engineer and was named Student of the Year at the Department for Education’s National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards.
Her progression demonstrates how work placements can provide a route from education into a long-term career, while giving employers access to emerging local talent.
Community support continues alongside construction
The report records a further £12,000 in support for healthier, stronger and more resilient communities. This has included volunteering, grants and projects supported through the WMI Community Fund.
Project partners Logistics Capital Partners and Oxford Properties Group said the development’s long-term investment was important, but stressed that local residents and businesses should benefit during construction as well as after completion.
Long-term employment ambition
WMI’s social impact is expected to increase as construction advances. The completed development is projected to create up to 8,500 jobs over its lifetime, alongside continued investment in local supply chains, education and community programmes.
The 2022–2025 report therefore presents the early figures as a foundation for the project’s wider economic and social contribution to the West Midlands.
