The Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, launched his flagship plan for youth unemployment in the West Midlands in July 2024.
The initial phase of the West Midlands youth employment plan sets out the offer to young people to ensure they have the best possible start to their working lives through meaningful advice, support services and pathways, in addition to a commitment to creating 20,000 new work experience, training placements and apprenticeships by working with partners and businesses across the region.
The youth employment plan offers:
- Pre-employment training in the region's fastest growing sectors and green skills, with a guaranteed interview
Dedicated work coach support for young people who are out of work - Fully-funded training, up to level 3, to help young people develop the skills needed for work
- Access to mental and physical health support, including talking therapies
- Building on existing youth hubs to provide all young people with access to a range of support and services, including debt and careers advice
Employer Pledge
In support of the West Midlands Mayor’s Youth Employment Plan, the mayoral pledge aims to create 20,000 work experience placements, training opportunities, and apprenticeships for young people.
If you are an employer who wants to support achieving this pledge, you can do so in various ways:
- Provide work experience for those Young People who are not in employment, education or training
- Provide work placements for those at college or school
- Provide support with careers activities in schools and colleges
Youth Plan
In response to the Mayoral Pledge, the West Midlands Combined Authority has launched a Youth Plan that brings together key initiatives developed in collaboration with local authorities, colleges, and government partners to support young people across the region.
Key areas under the Youth Plan are:
Path2 Apprenticeship
A free short course for young people aged 19-29, offering tailored training, industry knowledge, and work placement support to prepare for Level 2 or 3 apprenticeships across various sectors.
Youth Guarantee Trailblazer
The West Midlands Combined Authority is one of eight national Trailblazer areas, receiving £5m from the DWP/DfE to pilot new ways of supporting 18–21-year-olds into work or training. Local authorities will lead delivery.
Youth Path
Launched in Feb 2025 with Movement to Work, this partnership connects 18–30-year-olds not in education, employment, or training (NEET) with top employers.
Connect to Work
Part of a £115M national fund, this 2025 programme builds on Thrive into Work to support economically inactive residents into employment through flexible, local delivery.
Health and wellbeing
Thrive at College: Embeds mental health support across six regional colleges.
Mayoral Regions Programme: Uses regional powers to reduce health and employment inequalities.
Thrive into Work: Supports neurodiverse 16–18-year-olds into employment with tailored pathways.
Wrap Around Support: Helps disadvantaged youth into work through targeted pilots and internships.
Careers Information
WMCA Careers Hubs focus on:
- Improving careers education in schools and colleges
- Increasing employer engagement
- Promoting apprenticeships and technical routes
- Supporting disadvantaged youth through targeted interventions