A flagship employment programme that has already helped hundreds of young people take their first steps towards a career has reopened for applications across Tees Valley.
The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is now accepting applications for its second year, offering tailored support to young people aged 18 to 21 who are not currently in education, employment or training.
Led by the Tees Valley Combined Authority and delivered in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and the region's other local authorities, the programme builds on a highly successful pilot year that attracted interest from more than 1,700 young people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.
The initiative is designed to remove barriers to employment and give young people access to the guidance, skills and opportunities they need to secure long-term careers.
Every participant is guaranteed a one-to-one meeting with a dedicated local Key Worker, who will assess their individual needs and connect them with the most appropriate support services. This includes personalised careers advice, job search assistance, interview preparation and confidence-building training.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:
“The first year of the programme showed what can be achieved when we back our young people with the right support at the right time. We have huge projects delivering jobs now and we want all our young people to access these opportunities.
“We’ve already seen so many find opportunities with businesses across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, gaining the skills, confidence and experience needed to succeed.
“That’s why we’re delighted to open applications again and help even more young people access the support, training and work opportunities available through the programme.”
Funded by the UK Government, the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer provides a comprehensive package of support aimed at helping young people move into sustainable employment. Alongside mentoring and guidance, eligible participants may be offered paid work placements lasting up to five months with local employers.
These placements provide valuable workplace experience, allowing young people to develop practical skills, increase confidence and strengthen their future employment prospects.
The programme also offers significant benefits for employers looking to develop future talent without additional staffing costs.
Businesses participating in the scheme can access:
- Fully subsidised wages for placements of up to 25 hours per week
- Support to identify suitable candidates based on business needs
- Potential training grants to fund qualifications and skills development
- Ongoing support from Key Workers throughout the placement
By offering a paid placement, employers can help young people gain meaningful work experience while developing a pipeline of local talent.
Participants can access:
- Personalised careers advice and guidance
- Links to local education, training and employment opportunities
- Help with CV writing, job applications and interview preparation
- Confidence-building and communication skills training
- Support to overcome financial barriers to work or training
With major investment projects continuing to create jobs across Tees Valley, the programme is designed to ensure local young people are well positioned to benefit from emerging opportunities and build lasting careers.
Image credit: iStock
