A new partnership between major UK employers and government aims to open up quality job opportunities for care leavers, ex-offenders and young people facing mental health challenges – groups often overlooked in the labour market despite their potential.
Launched in the West Midlands, the Economic Inactivity Partnership brings together 12 businesses, five government departments and the West Midlands Combined Authority. Backed by the charity ReGenerate, the initiative is designed to help people described as “hidden talent” into sustainable employment, while supporting employers to better tap into a largely underutilised workforce.
The partnership is targeting 500 additional job opportunities, representing a 20% increase, with the ambition of scaling successful approaches nationally to support thousands of individuals each year.
Major employers join forces
Some of the UK’s largest employers are involved, collectively representing around 1% of the national workforce. These include Amazon, John Lewis, Severn Trent, Kier Construction and Greggs – organisations already piloting inclusive hiring practices in the region.
The initiative was formally announced at the Severn Trent Academy in Coventry by Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister. During the visit, he met care leavers now working at the company, alongside apprentices developing their skills through the academy’s training programmes.
Focus on practical pathways into work
The partnership will test and develop a range of practical interventions aimed at removing barriers into employment. These include:
- AI-powered employer support tool: Built using insights from businesses such as Timpson and Cook, the tool will help employers understand how to recruit and support individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, offering tailored advice and guidance.
- Shared talent pools: Jobcentre Plus, Severn Trent and Amazon are collaborating to create a system where candidates can move more easily between employers—progressing from work placements into permanent roles across the network.
- Expanding prison-to-work programmes: Building on the success of Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), pilots will explore delivering similar schemes within prisons, including in the West Midlands, with additional trials planned in open prisons outside the region.
These pilots are intended not only to address local challenges but also to inform a scalable national model.
Supporting life chances and economic growth
Darren, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, said:
“It’s great to be focussing on skilling people up because there’s so much untapped potential across the country.
“Giving people the right opportunity at the right time can transform their life. It’s good for them – both for their financial position and their mental health. But it’s also good for our country if we can help people fulfil their potential – whatever their background and whatever challenges they’ve been through.
“So I’m thrilled to launch the Economic Inactivity Partnership in the West Midlands to make sure that’s the Britain we’re building.”
The programme builds on broader government efforts to grow the “impact economy,” including the creation of the Office for Impact Economy, which helps coordinate collaboration between government, investors, and purpose-driven businesses.
Building on regional momentum
Severn Trent, one of the key partners, has already established dedicated pathways for care leavers and continues to expand opportunities for young people. The company recently pledged 400 new roles for young people across the Midlands as part of the government’s Youth Guarantee scheme.
The involvement of organisations like Birmingham Airport further underscores the breadth of regional commitment to inclusive employment.
Implications for public sector leaders
For public sector managers and policymakers, the partnership signals a growing emphasis on cross-sector collaboration to tackle economic inactivity – a challenge with direct implications for workforce capacity, social mobility, and regional growth.
If successful, the West Midlands model could shape future national policy, particularly in integrating employment support with justice, social care, and mental health services.
Image credit: iStock
