A £5m government initiative is set to benefit thousands of young people across the Liverpool City Region, providing them with work or training opportunities. Merseyside has been selected as one of eight regions to act as a Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, pioneering new approaches to support 18–21 year olds who are currently Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET).
The 'trailblazer' scheme forms part of a larger £240m government investment aimed at trialling engagement methods and employment support approaches. The goal is to gather solid evidence on how best to address health-related economic inactivity and the challenges faced by NEET young people.
In the Liverpool City Region, the 'trailblazers' will merge existing local initiatives and offer tailored support for young people, helping them to 'unlock their potential' and create new job market opportunities. The £5m funding allocated to the region is expected to significantly boost Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram's existing Young People's Guarantee, which is already committed to assisting young people into employment, training or apprenticeship within six months.
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The Liverpool City Region has achieved a significant milestone with its 'trailblazer' status, marking a major stride in addressing challenges encountered by NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youngsters. The initiative, introduced under the government's Get Britain Working white paper, is focused on developing strategies to counter economic inactivity and advance employment support.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has been vocal about the potential impact of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer for local youth, stating: "Too often, young people from Liverpool are held back, not by a lack of talent but by a lack of opportunity," reports .
He further added, "This £5m funding will enable us to explore new, innovative ways to help those who need it most. Our Young People's Guarantee has already made a huge impact, but this funding gives us the chance to go further."
The £5 million investment is part of an overarching plan to improve access to training and job prospects, ensuring young people are well-equipped to compete in the modern workforce. Councillor Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Employment, Education, and Skills, commented on the scheme's broader implications: "This initiative will not only enhance the quality of opportunities available but will also ensure those opportunities are more accessible across every community in the city region."
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