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Youth Guarantee Trailblazer

Youth Guarantee 

Launched in November 2024, the Get Britain Working White Paper outlines Government’s ambition to reduce economic inactivity and move toward an 80% employment rate. A key commitment within the White Paper is the introduction of a Youth Guarantee, ensuring that all 18–21-year-olds in England have access to education, training, or support to find employment or an apprenticeship.

To support this ambition, central government allocated £45 million to fund eight place-based Youth Guarantee Trailblazers. The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) was selected as one of the eight Mayoral Combined Authorities, receiving up to £5 million for delivery in 2025/26. Building on this, WMCA secured a further £5 million to continue the pilot into Year 2 (2026/27).

This investment comes at a critical time, as the West Midlands continues to face some of the highest levels of youth unemployment and economic inactivity in the country.

Currently, 9.2% of 18–24-year-olds are unemployed - the second highest rate among England’s mayoral combined authorities. The region also experiences high levels of Universal Credit claims, lower-than-average qualification attainment, and a widening skills gap, all of which are compounded by deep-rooted poverty and inequality across its diverse communities.

Insights from a WMCA Youth Voice survey of over 794 young people highlight the key barriers to employment, including a lack of experience, limited skills, and mental health challenges.

WMCA Youth Guarantee Trailblazer

The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer has been designed to respond directly to these issues, aligning with Mayoral priorities and the WMCA Youth Plan to better support young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

Developed in collaboration with seven local authority partners, the WMCA Youth Guarantee Trailblazer addresses the diverse needs of young people aged 18–21, particularly those at risk of becoming NEET.

The programme has provided an opportunity to strengthen the regional evidence base by capturing insights from young people, while also testing and refining three pilot interventions through a ‘test and learn’ approach.

The programme’s success has been underpinned by WMCA’s strategic leadership in convening a wide range of partners already working in this space, enabling greater system alignment, and driving meaningful change.

A data-driven, place-based approach has supported streamlined delivery, robust tracking, and effective outcome monitoring, while minimising duplication and ensuring value for money. WMCA has played a central role in identifying, engaging, and supporting young people through smoother transitions into education, training, and employment.

Ongoing evaluation has captured key insights, monitored progress, and informed future approaches to youth employment, ensuring that young people across the region are better supported into sustained, meaningful opportunities.

In Year 1, the £5 million Youth Guarantee Trailblazer budget was strategically allocated across key interventions and support functions. Over £4 million was grant-funded to seven Local Authority partners (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton) to deliver Intervention 1 – subsidised work experience models – and Intervention 3 – seamless transition support for NEET young people. The remaining funding supported the delivery of Intervention 2, which connected young people to early training opportunities, alongside a robust evaluation of systems and programme activity.

For Year 2, an additional £5 million has been secured to continue delivery of the programme. Implementation will again be led by the seven local authority partners, with over £4 million allocated through grant funding. Interventions 1 (subsidised work placements) and 3 (supporting seamless transitions for NEET young people) will continue as core elements of delivery.

While Intervention 2 proved effective in Year 1, it has been refined to build on Dudley MBC’s Proactive Enrolment pilot. This approach improved the identification, tracking, and engagement of young people, significantly reduced “Not Known” figures, strengthened multi-agency collaboration, and achieved a marked reduction in both Known and Not Known NEET rates. It also established a scalable auto-enrolment model, led by Dudley Council, which will inform delivery in Year 2.

 

Trailblazer Interventions for 2026/27

The programme will deliver three core interventions:

  • Intervention 1: Enabling young people to engage with employers through subsidised work experience and targeted upskilling
  • Intervention 2: Proactive enrolment, focusing on mapping and tracking the progression of Year 11 NEETs (both known and unknown), building on the Dudley model
  • Intervention 3: Supporting seamless transitions to reduce the risk of NEET, particularly within underserved communities

Summary of Local Authority Proposals

Intervention 1

The project will build on early learning since October 2025/26, providing a further year of test-and-learn delivery focused on established NHS and anchor partners, key sector employers, and increased SME engagement via the Birmingham Growth Hub. It will support employers to create paid opportunities, placements, and internships for young people, alongside guidance on financial support, apprenticeships, and Levy funding. The programme will engage Birmingham residents aged 18–21 who are unemployed or economically inactive, particularly those facing health, SEND, care experience, offending backgrounds, low skills, or at risk of becoming NEET.

Intervention 3

The project will build on early learning since delivery began in October 2025/26, providing a further year of test-and-learn activity focused on delivering employability and skills support for 18–21-year-olds at key transition points. Delivery will be through a mix of internal services and commissioned external providers, many from the voluntary and community sector, with proven expertise in engaging young people in areas of highest need across Birmingham. The programme will support young people who are unemployed or economically inactive, including those with health or mental health barriers, SEND, neurodiversity, care experience, offending backgrounds, low skills, and a small cohort at risk of becoming NEET. Support will include careers guidance, life skills, confidence building, CV and application support, interview preparation, and tailored help to overcome individual barriers. Activity will be delivered through both general and targeted support strands and aligned with employer engagement roles and the Employment Access Team to strengthen pathways into jobs and apprenticeships.

To learn more, contact: YouthTrailblazer@birmingham.gov.uk

Intervention 1

The proposal sets out a small grants programme to expand and diversify work experience opportunities for 18–21-year-olds in Solihull, responding to high youth unemployment, particularly in North Solihull. The model is employer-led, focusing on SMEs and micro-businesses, while also engaging larger employers to offer up to 40 flexible paid and unpaid placements aligned to young people’s aspirations. Targeted support will prioritise young people who face greater barriers to accessing work experience, including care-experienced young people and those with SEND, with ongoing in-work support and financial assistance to remove practical barriers. Clear progression routes will be provided into employment, apprenticeships, education, training, or Connect to Work, building on strong Year 1 outcomes that demonstrate positive progression from both paid and unpaid placements.

To learn more, contact Robert Reynolds or Leeanne Parker: robert.reynolds@solihull.gov.uk or leeanne.parker@solihull.gov.uk

Intervention 1

Coventry City Council will support 84 18-21-year-old NEET young people to gain subsidised work experience with the aim of moving directly into paid employment with the host employer.

Placements structure:

  • 2 weeks unpaid work experience: £500 incentive for employer.
  • 8 weeks paid work experience: £2000 incentive for employer.
  • Care Leaver + £1000
  • Job Rotation Model + £500
  • Salaried position post work experience (min 6-month contract): £1250 payment to employer.

The participants will be supported through the Job Shop to gain key employability skills and to consider their career options. Appropriate skills support will be provided through the Job Shops strong partnerships with skills providers including basic skills and relevant technical skills.

All participants will be supported throughout their work experience, and ongoing support will be provided where needed.

To learn more, contact Odette Chittem: odette.chittem@coventry.gov.uk

Intervention 1- Project 1- ICAN

Building on the success of I Can Dudley, the programme will expand inclusive, paid employment pathways for 18–21-year-olds who are NEET or at risk of NEET. In 2026/27, it will support 40 young people through three‑month paid placements with Dudley Council, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and trusted employers, alongside pre-employment training, in‑work mentoring and progression support.

The programme addresses high local levels of youth disengagement and labour market barriers by providing paid entry routes, inclusive recruitment practices, and strong progression pathways.

Delivery includes a four‑week pre‑employment programme, paid placements, tailored in‑work support, and a place‑based community of practice across partners. The programme prioritises disadvantaged groups and aims to improve confidence, skills and progression into sustained employment, apprenticeships, or further education, supported by a £200,000 placement investment.

Intervention 2 - Proactive Enrolment

Dudley MBC will deliver a proactive enrolment programme for Year 11 students without confirmed post-16 destinations, supporting them into college or apprenticeships. Key focus areas include early identification and prevention, a proactive system-wide enrolment approach, and targeted support to achieve sustained outcomes.

Intervention 3 – Step Up Dudley

Year One delivery identified significant challenges in engaging NEET 18–21-year-olds, with barriers including low confidence, digital exclusion, and complex personal circumstances. Learning highlights the need to refine engagement approaches, integrate insights from the auto‑enrolment pilot, and test digital platforms such as SLENKY alongside traditional outreach.

In Year Two, the programme aims to engage 60 disadvantaged NEET young people across Dudley, build confidence and skills for progression, and pilot digital engagement solutions with community partners. Key activities include a structured review of Year One, targeted outreach, digital engagement and literacy support, individual action planning, employability and life‑skills provision, and clear progression pathways into work, training, or education.

Robust tracking through a CRM system, personal development plans and outcome monitoring will evidence progress. Expected outcomes include increased confidence and skills, progression into employment or learning, reduced benefit dependency, and strengthened community partnerships, supported by a refined, lower‑risk engagement model informed by Year One learning.

To learn more, contact Viv Webb: viv.webb@dudley.gov.uk

Intervention 1 – Paid Work Placements for Young People (Aged 18–21)

Walsall Works is an established wage-subsidy and paid work placement programme with over a decade of experience supporting young people into employment, including successful delivery through Kickstart, Works+, and Youth Trailblazer funding.

The programme proposes to deliver 35 fully funded paid work placements for Walsall residents aged 18–21 who are unemployed or economically inactive, with a strong focus on vulnerable young people facing multiple social, economic, or health-related barriers. Placements will last up to 12 weeks at a minimum of 30 hours per week, be paid at national minimum wage, and align with young people’s career aspirations and growing sectors.

Employers will commit to providing structured roles, mentoring, flexibility, and progression opportunities, with the aim of moving participants into sustained employment at the end of the placement.

Each participant will receive wraparound in-work support from a Walsall Works advisor, alongside funded employer incentives, and full programme administration to remove barriers and maximise employment outcomes.

Intervention 3 – Supporting Seamless Transitions into Education, Training, and Employment

This proposal aims to support 18–21-year-olds to prevent and reduce NEET status through three complementary delivery approaches involving the local authority, housing providers, and youth and voluntary sector organisations.

Building on Year 1 pilots, it adopts a place-based, partnership-led model to improve coordination, data sharing, and engagement with young people most at risk, particularly in deprived wards and underserved communities. Delivery includes intensive personalised support through a Specialist Employment Advisor embedded within council services, a targeted social prescribing and employability programme delivered by Walsall Housing Group, and innovative youth-led engagement projects commissioned from the voluntary sector.

Collectively, the interventions will engage around 150 young people, focusing on care leavers, young offenders, those with SEND, social housing tenants, and other vulnerable groups. The programme prioritises progression into positive outcomes such as education, training, employment, apprenticeships, and ongoing support through Walsall Works, with total funding of £156,907.

To learn more, contact: Youth.Trailblazer@Walsall.gov.uk

Intervention 1 – Paid Work Placement Programme

The work experience programme will offer:

  • Employer engagement to source and generate placement opportunities
  • Targeted engagement of young people from disadvantaged groups who are unemployed or economically inactive
  • Events and engagement sessions
  • Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG), including individual action planning
  • Paid work placements of up to 8 weeks
  • Unpaid work experience opportunities to help individuals explore and identify suitable career pathways
  • Ongoing support to progress into positive outcomes
  • Clear pathways into apprenticeships and employment
  • Referrals to other programmes for longer-term support, such as Connect to Work

Beneficiaries: NEET young people aged 18–21, with a focus on disadvantaged groups including care-experienced young people, those with SEND, young people involved in the youth justice system, and those experiencing generational worklessness.

Intervention 3 – Transition Support Programme

This Transition Support Programme will deliver:

  • Enhanced tracking of 18–19-year-olds through the CCIS system, including engagement calls and home visits to generate referrals into the programme.
  • Targeted interventions within schools to support 18-year-olds who are at risk of becoming NEET.
  • Strong partnership working with education providers to enhance employment and skills support at key transition points and at the end of provision.
  • Engagement activities for 18–21-year-olds designed to build employability skills, including outdoor activities, music, wellbeing interventions, money management, and team building.
  • Tailored support to progress young people into positive destinations such as work experience, apprenticeships, supported internships, education, and training.
  • Support for the delivery of Youth Hub and Employment Hub activities for 18–21-year-olds.
  • Additional engagement and delivery support from Voluntary and Community Sector organisations where specific needs are identified.

Beneficiaries – NEET young people and those at risk of NEET 18-21. Targeting disadvantaged groups including Care Experienced, SEND, Youth Justice and generational worklessness.

To learn more, contact: enquiries_recruitment@sandwell.gov.uk

Intervention 1 – Open Door Wolverhampton

Open Door Wolverhampton is a structured 4–12-week work experience programme for 18–21-year-olds, focused on wards with the highest youth unemployment and supporting those with low skills, additional needs, and multiple barriers to work.

Delivered with the Council and risk-assessed city employers, the programme links closely with Wolves at Work, Connexions, and the Youth Employment Hub to provide careers advice, training, and ongoing support. Funding covers dedicated delivery staff, participant support costs, marketing, and barrier removal such as travel, DBS checks, IT access, and employability support.

The project works strategically with employers and the Council to create sustainable placements, apprenticeships, and entry-level roles, supported by digital tools like Workbox. Each participant receives structured training, in-placement support, and clear progression routes into employment or further training.

 

Intervention 3 – Transition Support Programme

The programme is designed to support young people aged 16–21 to make smooth transitions from education into training, employment, or other positive outcomes, with a strong focus on those at risk of becoming NEET.

It will engage around 200 young people through schools, colleges, and post‑16 provision, with targeted intensive support for 70 unemployed or economically inactive 18–21‑year‑olds, building on existing Connexions and Wolves at Work provision.

Delivery will include tracking and outreach via Shaw Trust and Prospects, specialist support for young people with EHCPs and additional needs, access to digital job‑search tools, and dedicated Youth Transitions Coaches working across education, community, and employment settings, alongside training providers and partners.

To learn more, contact Sue Lindup: Sue.Lindup@wolverhampton.gov.uk