350,000 training or workplace opportunities are to be created in the construction sector, among other sectors, to encourage young people on Universal Credit (UC) into work
A total of 900,000 young people on UC will have access to government skill opportunities through dedicated work support sessions and intensive support.
350,000 of these opportunities will include training or workplace opportunities, and 55,000 government-backed guaranteed jobs are also on offer from Spring next year.
Areas of high need are being targeted
Birmingham & Solihull, the East Midlands, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire & Essex, Central & East Scotland, and the Southwest & Southeast Wales will all see a share of the 55,000 guaranteed jobs, and it is expected that in the first six months of the programme alone, 1,000 young people will start their new jobs.
For the rest, a work coach will be appointed who will work with them through one of up to six pathways, including work, work experience, apprenticeship, wider training, learning, or a workplace training programme.
Furthermore, more Youth Hubs will be built, totalling over 360 throughout the country, to give young people to CV advice, skills training, mental health support, housing advice, and careers guidance.
Kier is one of the construction companies working with the government to expand skills opportunities. Tracey Collins, director of emerging talent and social impact at Kier, said: “At Kier, we are committed to providing opportunities for young people and bring emerging talent into construction through hundreds of work experience and apprenticeship positions every year. It’s important that these opportunities are open to everyone, regardless of background or history, as every young person deserves the chance to flourish. To support this, we are delivering a number of initiatives to make Kier accessible to underrepresented groups, including a pilot project with the Youth Futures Foundation, as well as through our Kierriculum schools’ engagement programme.
“We believe that the Youth Guarantee will further strengthen this activity and we are proud to support the government’s work to collectively reduce long-term youth unemployment and help them reach a better future.”
More government support is needed to solve the construction skills gap
A report from the House of Commons committee was released, finding that for the UK to meet its net-zero commitments, more skilled workers will be required. It also found that the government’s interventions thus far have been effective, but need to go further.
The report reads: “Our inquiry scrutinised the Government’s workforce planning to support the delivery of its objectives for cleaner energy by 2030 and more buildings retrofitted with insulation and greener heating/cooling by 2050. It was put to us in evidence that the UK will not achieve either target without further government intervention in workforce planning.
“There is a clear demand for skilled labour. We recommend the Government continue to tackle barriers preventing existing energy sector workers transitioning successfully; launch further initiatives to promote clean energy and retrofit careers among under-represented groups and those outside the existing workforce; and explore leveraging the short-term need for skilled immigration to boost the longer-term need for home-grown talent.”
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