£45m extension means more young people get a chance
The Youth Guarantee trailblazer scheme has received a £45 million shot in the arm – and the West Midlands is set to get a chunk of that.
The scheme ensures 18–21‑year‑olds receive tailored support to either train or work.
948,000 young people are missing out
It’s urgent: nearly 948,000 UK youngsters are currently neither in education, employment, nor training (NEET). Disrupted education, underfunded mental health services, and scarce jobs have pulled them from track – but this funding could help haul them back.
Mayor’s track record of action
Mayor Richard Parker has already set ambitious targets – he pledged 20,000 work and training opportunities, and nearly 13,000 have been secured so far from businesses across the region. This is local action in full throttle: responding to youth joblessness that runs double the national average in places like Walsall, Wolverhampton, and Birmingham.
Reflecting on these gains, he said: “I’m pleased we’ve now secured even more training and work experience pledges from employers across the West Midlands. We’re making a real difference every day. By connecting people to good jobs in the region’s fastest‑growing sectors, we’re not just changing lives ‑ we’re building our economy.”
Why it matters right here, right now
Youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb. With local NEET rates sky-high, these targeted schemes offer a lifeline. And now with extra funding, the West Midlands can scale up success stories like the Path 2 Apprenticeships and youth coaching models.
National rollout in the crosshairs
The trailblazer regions – including ours – are pilots that will inform the national roll‑out of the Youth Guarantee. If successful, this funded model could become the UK standard for helping young people into work or training.
What it means for young people
For the region’s young people – many facing health issues, low qualifications, or financial hardship – this means access to real jobs, education, and support. And businesses, from green energy to construction and digital firms, get much-needed skilled staff.
