Mayor Dan Norris spearheads £5m youth employment scheme

Hello, Champions of Net Zero!

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, under the leadership of Mayor Dan Norris, has secured nearly £5 million in funding to assist young individuals facing obstacles in securing employment opportunities. This funding is a part of the government’s Get Britain Working strategy, with a specific focus on reducing the number of young people between the ages of 18-21 who are not engaged in education, employment, or training.

The West of England has been selected as one of the eight Trailblazer regions in England to pioneer a new approach aimed at improving outcomes for young people. Shockingly, approximately 24,000 individuals in the region between the ages of 16-64 lack qualifications, with one-third of this group falling within the 16-19 age bracket.

Mayor Dan Norris expressed his enthusiasm for the funding, stating, “I’m thrilled that my Mayoral Combined Authority has successfully secured £5 million of crucial funding to implement our Youth Guarantee programme. We are aware that many young people encounter significant challenges when seeking appropriate opportunities in education, training, or employment.”

He further added, “The West of England is a region that is prosperous but has the potential to achieve even greater success. Unfortunately, talented individuals often miss out on opportunities. I am committed to ensuring that no young person is left behind. By connecting individuals with local businesses and investing in skills, we are not only transforming lives but also strengthening our regional economy and developing a workforce that is prepared for the future.”

Over the course of a year, the initiative will concentrate on three primary cohorts:

1. Rural Areas of North East Somerset: The focus here will be on addressing transportation barriers to enhance participation, progression, and sustained employment opportunities.

2. South Bristol: Services will be coordinated and young people in areas with high levels of deprivation and youth unemployment will be engaged.

3. South Gloucestershire: Special attention will be given to supporting young individuals with special educational needs, particularly in wards with a high number of Universal Credit claimants.

A dedicated team from the Mayoral Combined Authority will collaborate closely with businesses to establish stronger connections between young people and employers. This partnership aims to provide employment and work experience opportunities, assisting businesses in hiring young talent and filling any staffing gaps that may exist.

We are thrilled to witness such initiatives being undertaken to support the youth and enhance the economic landscape of the West of England. Together, we can create a brighter future for all individuals in our community.

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