The move aims to help Universal Credit claimants aged 16 to 24 find work
The DWP has announced a fresh scheme to help Brits born between 2002 and 2010 who are claiming Universal Credit find work. The brand new Department for Work and Pensions programme includes apprenticeships, work experience, skills training and one-to-one coaching.
The DWP has updated its guidance to roll out the Youth Guarantee Journey, aimed at Universal Credit claimants aged 16 to 24 across England, Scotland and Wales. The aim is to give young people tailored help to get job-ready – whether that means improving their CV, practising for interviews or simply finding the right path into employment more quickly.
Crucially, you will keep your Universal Credit payments throughout the process while working alongside Jobcentre staff to put together a personalised plan for your job search. Every claimant will have an employment and skills assessment shortly after applying for Universal Credit, followed by regular appointments with a work coach.
After 13 weeks, there will be a ‘gateway’ meeting to figure out the next step – whether that is moving into work, starting an apprenticeship, doing work experience or taking up further education or training alongside your Universal Credit claim.
Some young people may also be pointed towards one of more than 100 Youth Hubs across Great Britain, where specialist advisers can help with careers guidance, building confidence and interview prep. For those with bigger barriers to finding work, specialist youth employability coaches are available for up to six months, with support continuing for a further six weeks once employment is secured.
The new scheme comes as fresh research paints an alarming picture of youth unemployment in the UK. A report by the Resolution Foundation has found that the number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training – known as NEET – has topped one million for the first time in 13 years.
The think tank warned that even short periods of unemployment in your younger years can have lasting “scarring effects” on future earnings, career prospects and overall wellbeing well into adulthood. The research also found that targeted employment programmes offer far better value for taxpayers than broad tax breaks or wage subsidies.
Looking at the options available, the Foundation believes a wider Jobs Guarantee could create around 17,500 additional jobs a year at a cost of roughly £37,000 per job, while expanding the existing Youth Jobs Grant could add about 2,800 extra jobs annually at a similar cost.
By comparison, bringing back employer National Insurance relief for under-25s looks like poor value – generating only around 7,000 extra jobs a year while costing the Exchequer approximately £132,000 for every single additional job created.
The report also urges ministers to drop plans to fully bring the minimum wage for 18 to 20-year-olds in line with the National Living Wage, arguing it risks shutting some younger workers out of the jobs market altogether, even if it means a pay rise for others.
In addition, it calls for the Youth Jobs Grant to be scaled up to 80,000 places a year, the Jobs Guarantee to be opened up to more young Universal Credit claimants, and apprenticeship funding to be ring-fenced for under-25s – all in a bid to tackle the worrying rise in youth joblessness.
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