More Than 700 Young People Sign Up To Take On Trailblazer Challenge

A landmark training and employment programme to unlock the potential of our young people has hit the ground running – with more than 700 people already signed up to take on placements.

Just two months in, more than 700 young people have expressed an interest in joining the new UK Youth Guarantee Trailblazer – with almost 180 businesses also coming forward to take part as of this week.

By providing up to £5million to support youth employment, the programme offers high-quality paid work placements and non-paid work taster sessions for young people aged 18-21 across the region who are not in work, education or training.

Now more businesses are being urged to sign up on the back of the scheme’s early popularity.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This programme is absolutely vital in giving our young people the skills and opportunities they need to build great careers right here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“But we can’t do it alone and we need the backing of our fantastic local businesses. Their involvement will make sure this Trailblazer delivers real results and sets our young people on the right path.

“And it’s not just about supporting the next generation – our firms will also gain massively by developing fresh talent, bringing in the ideas, drive and innovation that will help take their companies to the next level.”

Young people have attended pre-placement training sessions at Stockton-on-Tees Employment and Training Hub ahead of going to placements at a wide range of our region’s companies.

Councillor Lisa Evans, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and TVCA Cabinet Member for Employment, Education and Skills, was on hand to see Stockton young people take on initial training before setting out on their trailblazer placements.

Cllr Evans said: “It’s great to see this scheme getting underway. Having no or little work experience can be a big barrier to entering work or higher-level education and training, and it’s something we hear time and again from our young people.

“This is giving our young people good quality workplace experience through paid placements with flexibility and tasters too. It’s also offering businesses the support, guidance and equipment they need to provide these placements and reap long-term benefits.

“By taking on these opportunities, we hope this gives our young people the confidence and the skills they need to really unlock their potential to find a career which suits them.”

More young people are now being urged to sign up to the scheme while local businesses, which will be offered paid support to provide placements, which will be critical in tackling a lack of work experience – which acts as a barrier to employment.

Robyn Bulmer, from Norton, found out about the scheme after visiting the hub to hunt a route into the world of work.

She said: “I was just genuinely wanting to know if someone would be able to help me find an apprenticeship, or something in business.

“I met up with Sophie, who works in the hub, and she told me about the Trailblazer scheme. I honestly thought I was going to have to pay for it when I heard about it.

“She was telling me about the opportunities to get a placement. I heard about the six months (placement) and thought: ‘I’m definitely doing that’.”

The 18-year-old added the early part of the programme had already given her some extra confidence.

Lewis Gray, 21, is looking to go into the IT sector – and he explained how the early sessions had helped him see his strengths and open doors.

He said: “It’s important because it’s better to do something where you know you’re going to get something out of it at the end.

“A paid placement is more appetising and attractive.”

Tees Valley is one of eight UK locations selected to the Trailblazer, which is a UK Government-funded programme.

It includes:

• Structured, paid work placements for three or six months to gain the right experiences and skills needs for job and training opportunities.
• Grants to help with the purchase of IT equipment, internet connection, and additional training and qualifications may also be available.

• A dedicated key worker providing pre-placement support and help to access education and training opportunities.
• Quick and flexible unpaid work taster sessions to allow young people to explore their job options.

For young people wanting more information on the programme and to sign up follow this link.

For businesses wanting more information and to sign up to provide a placement, follow this link

For FAQs, go here: Youth Trailblazer FAQs – Work