Youth Guarantee Extended After Year Of Pilot Success In Tees Valley

Extra funding has been approved for a successful programme changing young lives for the better.

The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer will continue to support job placements for employers and young people aged 18 to 21 in the Tees Valley for another year, after receiving interest from more than 1,700 young people during its first 12 months.

The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority Cabinet agreed to extend the Youth Guarantee for a second year after £5million of funding from the Department for Work and Pensions was confirmed for the scheme.

Extra support, which may include work taster sessions for 16 to 17-year-olds – and more intensive tracking post-placement for 18 to 21-year-olds, is being introduced.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Backing our young people into good-quality jobs is one of the best investments we can make in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“This programme has already helped hundreds of young people take their first steps into the world of work, while giving local businesses the talent and support they need to grow.

“By extending the Youth Guarantee with fresh funding, we’re building on that success to create more opportunities, boost skills, and making sure no young person is left behind. We’re determined to keep driving this forward.”

The first year of the programme saw 390 young people complete pre-employment training.

A total of 81 joined work taster sessions and a further 238 young people secured paid placements.

Some examples of success across our region include young people securing work at: Shape Café, Darlington; Axiom Events, Middlesbrough; Network Notwork, Wynyard; Hightech, Darlington and Alice House Hospice, Hartlepool.

The programme is being led by the Tees Valley Combined Authority and delivered by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and the region’s Local Authorities.

This arrangement will continue in the project’s second year.

Cllr Lisa Evans, TVCA Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills and Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, added: “It’s fantastic to see both Cabinet and Government backing this programme for a second year after such a strong start.

“The success stories we’ve already seen show just how powerful the right support can be for young people and for businesses across our region.

“We’re looking forward to building on that momentum by bringing even more opportunities, more placements, and even better outcomes for our young people. There’s plenty more to come, so I’d encourage both employers and jobseekers to watch this space for more developments soon.”

The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer has been open to applications from young people aged 18 to 21 who are not in education, employment, or training, and living in Tees Valley (Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees).

Funded by the UK Government, it includes high-quality paid work placements, non-paid work taster sessions and wider support for young people across the region helping them to build experience, confidence, and a pathway into lasting employment.

For employers, wages for work placements up to five months are fully funded to keep financial costs to businesses as low as possible.

Companies wishing to express an interest in joining the Youth Guarantee in 2026/27 should go here, while young people interested in the programme can register their details here.