The government has announced the creation of Youth Hubs across the country as part of a major expansion of employment and skills support for 16–24-year-olds. I am so pleased to share that this includes a new Youth Hub based in Broxtowe.
This announcement follows the findings of the Milburn Report on Young People and Work, which made clear that too many young people face barriers to opportunity. With one million young people currently not earning or learning, this cannot continue.
When our young people succeed, Broxtowe succeeds. Youth Hubs can be a game-changer, by opening doors, and helping young people here to earn, learn and build a secure future. Youth Hubs will bring personalised support directly into the heart of communities. Each Hub will bring various wraparound support services under one roof. Young people will be able to access jobcentre support, mental health and housing advice, skills and training opportunities, careers guidance and direct links to employers with live job and apprenticeship vacancies.
The Youth Hub model is about meeting young people where they are, such as colleges, libraries or even football clubs. We can’t expect them to navigate complex systems alone. I am absolutely determined to make sure Broxtowe benefits fully from this new model and that every young
person here has the chance to get on and work.
This builds on the government’s Youth Guarantee, totalling £2.5 billion, which will support one million young people and help deliver up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn. From this month, the government is supporting £3,000 payments as part of the Youth Jobs Grant, covering wages for six months for those out of work long-term, and cutting hiring costs for under-21s and apprentices. This is a government determined to get our young people back into work.