Dozens of employers from the West of England gathered to hear more about the Youth Guarantee, a £5 million project offering tailored support to help young people into work, education, and training.
The event, at SGS College’s WISE Campus in Stoke Gifford, featured presentations and information sessions for businesses from Rising Arts Agency and construction services firm MCS. It also saw a panel discussion with the new Mayor of the West of England, leader of Bristol City Council, and the co-leader of South Gloucestershire Council.
The first young people, aged
18-21, in the region are now being supported through the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer – part of a national pilot that aims to help provide the skills and confidence to move into work, through one-to-one advice and access to a range of practical support.
Thanks to the funding secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, our region is one of only eight Trailblazer regions in England picked to pioneer a new approach, testing how local leadership, partnership working, and enhanced support services can improve outcomes for young people.
The Trailblazer programme will help shape the future national rollout of the Youth Guarantee, with learning here informing policy development.
The Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) is ensuring that every young person who takes part in the scheme will receive a WESTpass granting them free bus travel until March 2026, removing a barrier for some of the most vulnerable people and making it possible for everyone to attend interviews, training and other opportunities. Over a year, this amounts to a saving of around £1,000.
There are a range of ways for employers to get involved with the programme, including offering vacancies and placements to support young people into the workplace; joining with peer employers through roundtables and events to share insights and challenges in engaging young talent, and hosting insight days and careers talks.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “Every young person in our region deserves the chance to succeed and a pathway to work – no matter their background or what challenges they’ve faced. The Youth Guarantee is about giving young people meaningful, practical support to build a positive future. That means helping them develop confidence, gain skills, and, crucially, get access to real opportunities that can change their lives.
“I’m grateful to all of the employers who attended yesterday’s event, which was a big step towards something special for our region’s young people. Together, we can provide the opportunities and support to ensure that nobody is left behind and everyone has a chance to thrive.”
Councillor Ian Boulton, the co-leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We’re really pleased to be one
of the Trailblazer pilots.
“South Gloucestershire is brimming with young people with talent from all backgrounds, as well as businesses and industries who want to nurture those talents to build the skilled workforce of the future. This pilot will particularly help some of our young people with special educational needs to realise their full potential, and to see the world of further education, training and work as an opportunity that’s open to them.”