The government has taken a step further to ensuring that every young person is either earning or learning, as it help its first-every Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair. Held in Blackpool, the fair brought together more than 3,000 local residents and 94 employers offering jobs, apprenticeships, traineeships and work experience placements.
The Youth Guarantee is a government programme focused on addressing the long‑term rise in youth unemployment and supporting the nearly one million young people currently not in education, employment or training.
Employers at the fair represented a diverse range of sectors, including tourism, hospitality, transport, defence and manufacturing. Recruiters from organisations such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Northern Rail and the Royal Air Force were on hand to offer interviews, career advice and immediate‑start roles.
The government has committed to delivering at least one Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair in every region of England, Scotland and Wales to ensure young people across the UK can access local employment opportunities.
Following the fair, the Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden co‑chaired a roundtable at Leyland Trucks, where leaders from 16 manufacturing businesses pledged support for the Youth Guarantee. Participants included representatives from Altimex, Make UK, Leyland Trucks and Babcock International Group.
Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, commented:
“With almost a million young people not in education, employment or training, it’s crucial we connect our young people with the opportunities on their doorstep.
“Today’s Jobs Fair in Blackpool and my meeting with key manufacturing employers has shown what’s possible when government and employers work together.
“I’m delighted so many local employers are choosing to back our Youth Guarantee, and we will keep going further so we can ensure every young person has the chance to earn or learn.”
Manufacturing is a growing sector in the region, accounting for around 13% of all employees, making strong employer engagement essential.
The jobs fair and manufacturing roundtable strengthened partnerships between the Department for Work and Pensions, employers, careers services and training providers — ensuring smoother transitions into sustained employment.
The Youth Guarantee commits that all under‑25s should be offered one of the following:
- Employment
- Continued education
- An apprenticeship
- A traineeship, work‑experience placement or Sector‑Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP)
These measures aim to open more high‑quality pathways into skilled work and provide young people with the support, confidence and opportunities needed to build successful careers.
Image credit: iStock
