The partnership identifies the city's main socio-economic challenges and monitors efforts by partners to address Wolverhampton's long-term economic regeneration needs.

It also takes the lead in overseeing progress to meet the wealth-creating priorities of Wolverhampton's Community Plan.

Main areas of focus include:

• Investment leading to job creation and retention ­ giving local people access to a wide range of well-paid employment opportunities
  
• Making sure increased economic activity leads to improved employment rates and incomes for residents in deprived areas. The partnership also tackles barriers to employment

• Promoting business formation and inward investment, especially in national growth sectors where the city is currently-under-represented
  
• Investment in workforce skills development, meeting the needs of industry now and in the future
  
• Encouraging investment to provide a balanced portfolio of employment sites, a modern, less congested transport infrastructure and thriving city and local district centres
  
• Promoting an improved image of Wolverhampton, a centre seen as a city of choice ­ to work, to live and to spend leisure time

• Providing 21st century education and learning facilities such as the University's new IT Futures Centre; addressing industry skills gaps; and encouraging measures to retain graduate/post-graduate skills in the city
  
• Working with local companies and landowners to improve the environment and economic viability of traditional industrial areas
  
• Help local people into existing jobs. An example is the City College Employability Team, which has been involved with the recruitment for New Look, Primark, and the Bluebrick Hotel and Restaurant
  
• Strategic investment in transport and gateways to the city
  
• Strategic transport & gateway investment, e.g. transport interchange - providing a transport hub linking rail, road, bus and metro centred around an improved railway station