Blackpool opens employment support hub for young people

Blackpool Council has partnered with the Department for Work and Pensions to create a new programme which will improve the employability prospects of 16 to 24 year olds in the town.

Blackpool is home to one of the highest rates of NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people in the country, which has been exacerbated by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The new programme will help young adults find a job, access education and training, or find a way back into work through support with CV writing, interview techniques, confidence building, arranging work experience placements, education and training and linking in with local job opportunities.

The support will be provided from a central hub, The Platform, which is a physical space where young people can call in for information, advice and guidance on education, training, jobs and careers.

The Platform will also become the ‘go to’ place for employers who want to recruit new staff. The service will build relations across the town with employers linking them with potential new staff but also listening to and acting on their recruitment and skills needs.

This project has received £443,824 from the government through the UK Community Renewal Fund. In future, the service will be funded from Blackpool’s Town Deal funding allocation.

Coun Gillian Campbell, cabinet member for inclusion, youth and transience said: "Better access for young people to employment and training opportunities in Blackpool is a key priority for Blackpool Council.

"All of the ongoing regeneration works in the town is not primarily so the town looks better; one of the key purposes of this work is to provide more jobs for local people.

"Our young people have had a tough time over the last two years and it is right that we do everything we can to support them now into meaningful work, education and training.

“The new team of experienced employment advisers will be able to offer young people more time and resource than has been available previously. Advisers will listen to those that come into the service and support them to get the job or training that is right for them."