BITC’s response to the Government’s plan to tackle youth unemployment

BITC’s response to the Government’s plan to tackle youth unemployment

The UK Government has today announced a £1 billion investment to tackle youth unemployment, expanding opportunities through the Youth Guarantee and new apprenticeship initiatives.

These plans aim to create 200,000 jobs and apprenticeship opportunities for young people aged 16–24, helping those currently not learning or earning take a vital first step into work and supporting inclusive economic growth.

Responding to the Government’s announcement, Ola Kolade, Employment and Skills Director at Business in the Community, said:

“This further investment from government to create more opportunities for young people through the Youth Guarantee is welcome. But opportunity only becomes real when employers open their doors. Young people who are neither earning nor learning often face the greatest barriers to entering work, yet they represent a huge pool of untapped talent. This is a moment for businesses to unlock their potential by creating meaningful pathways into work and learning how to nurture this talent pool. Through BITC’s Opening Doors campaign, businesses are coming together to learn, share, and shape the future of inclusive recruitment, creating equal opportunities for those furthest from the labour market.”