Thousands more young people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are set to be supported into jobs, training or education after the Combined Authority secured a further £5 million to extend its Youth Guarantee Trailblazer initiative for a second year.
The new funding follows a strong first year for the programme, which supported more than 1,000 young people through a mix of practical training, life coaching, internships, and apprenticeships. Building on this success, the second‑year investment will expand opportunities across the region, introduce a dedicated apprenticeship pathway, and open an additional Youth Hub to reach more young people who need support.
Responding to a growing challenge
The funding comes at a critical moment for the region. Latest figures show that 14.2% of 16‑to‑24‑year‑olds in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – around 15,400 young people – are currently Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).
Leaders say the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is designed to tackle this challenge head‑on by offering tailored, practical support that helps young people overcome barriers to work and skills.
Proven impact in year one
Since launching last year, the Trailblazer programme has delivered clear economic and social benefits, including:
- Supporting over 1,000 young people, with many progressing into employment, tailored training, or ongoing mentoring
- Delivering 30 local projects with regional partners including Constructed Pathways, Salvation Army, Inspire 2 Ignite and Noise Solution
- Engaging with more than 200 local businesses to support recruitment of local young talent
- Supporting over 200 young adults through the Peterborough Youth Hub, based at Peterborough United FC, offering CV workshops, interview preparation, and career coaching
- Connecting young people aged 18–25 with mental health and wellbeing support via the Qwell online platform
Mayor Paul Bristow said:
“Our first year of Youth Guarantee Trailblazer funding has proven exactly what can happen when we back our local young people. Helping over a thousand young people so far is a great achievement.
“This additional £5 million is an investment to keep that momentum going. By scaling up our youth hubs and expanding apprenticeship pathways, we are protecting our economic future and ensuring Cambridgeshire and Peterborough businesses have the highly skilled, competitive workforce they need to thrive.”
What the new funding will deliver
The additional £5 million will allow the Combined Authority to scale up its support and reach more young people across the region. Key elements of the next phase include:
- A dedicated apprenticeship service to help 16‑to‑18‑year‑olds move directly from school into roles with local employers
- A renewed £1.5 million funding pot for local providers to develop innovative, place‑based programmes tailored to supporting NEET young people into work
Officials say the focus remains on early intervention, employer engagement, and personalised support, ensuring young people gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed in a competitive labour market while helping local businesses address skills shortages.
Image credit: iStock
