Through UK Youth’s Building Connections scheme - backed by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) - projects in six areas of England will receive funding to help those most in need of employability support.
Building Connections was established in 2022 in Sussex, Manchester and Leicestershire, with the majority of young people taking part in the project classed as Neet or at risk of becoming so.
-
Related news: Government announces new skills and development body
-
Good practice: Early conversations help support young people in Sefton
Under the scheme, youth workers receive training on how to work with businesses to identify employment opportunities for young people.
Volunteers from CCEP also provide mentoring in line with its 2030 commitment to support 500,000 people who face barriers in the labour market by developing their skills and confidence.
The organisations set to receive support are:
-
Brentford FC Community Sports Trust in West London, who will develop work experience opportunities, work-readiness skill development and industry insights, and offer opportunities for leadership and networking along a jobs fair with interactive workshops.
-
Young Somerset, who aim to offer a range of social, economic, educational and recreational opportunities designed to encourage social inclusion and lifelong learning.
-
Wigan Youth Zone, who provide a range of sport, music and employment support and activities to help young people take their next steps into adult life alongside outreach-based youth work.
-
SMASH Youth Project in Swindon, a team of mentors working to provide safe spaces and practical support for young people.
-
Sculpt in Bermondsey, South-East London, who help young people to shape their own futures.
-
Brighter Futures for Children in Reading, who deliver children’s social care, early help & prevention and educational services to help children have a happy life.
The overall budget for the project is £430,000, and each delivery partner will receive £23,000.
Thora Eberts, UK Youth director of network delivery, said: “Our vision is all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives, but young people have had their job prospects disproportionately affected by the pandemic, followed by the biggest cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
“At UK Youth, we know youth work is the catalyst for change and this project puts youth workers at the heart of bridging the gap between young people looking for work and supporting them as they begin their careers.”
Latest Office for National Statistics data shows that more than 900,000 16- to 24-year-olds are Neet in England.
