£5 MILLION YOUTH TRAILBLAZER FUNDING EXTENSION SECURED AFTER YEAR-ONE SUCCESS

£5 MILLION YOUTH TRAILBLAZER FUNDING EXTENSION SECURED AFTER YEAR-ONE SUCCESS

More young people will be supported into jobs, training or education after the Combined Authority secured £5m to fund its Youth Guarantee Trailblazer initiative for a second year.

The extension follows a successful first year that saw over 1,000 young people supported through practical training, life coaching, internships and apprenticeships. The fresh funding injection will build on these achievements by expanding opportunities for young people, introducing an exclusive apprenticeship pathway and opening another new Youth Hub within the region.

This additional funding comes at a critical time for the region. Recent figures show that 14.2% of 16-to-24-year-olds across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, roughly 15,400 young people are currently Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET).

Since last year, the Trailblazer project has delivered measurable economic and social benefits across the region:

• Supported over 1,000 young people, with a significant number progressing into full-time or part-time work, tailored training, and ongoing mentorship.
• Launched 30 local projects, successfully delivering custom interventions in partnership with leading regional providers including Constructed Pathways, Salvation Army, Inspire 2 Ignite and Noise Solution.
• Engaged with over 200 local businesses to support the recruitment of local young talent.
• Supported over 200 young adults through the Peterborough Youth Hub, based at Peterborough United FC, providing practical interview preparation, CV workshops, career coaching and wraparound support to help them progress into employment.
• Connected young people aged 18–25 with mental health and wellbeing support through the Qwell online platform.

Mayor Paul Bristow said: “Our first year of Youth Guarantee Trailblazer funding has proven exactly what can happen when we back our local young people. Helping over a thousand young people so far is a great achievement.

This additional £5 million is an investment to keep that momentum going. By scaling up our youth hubs and expanding apprenticeship pathways, we are protecting our economic future and ensuring Cambridgeshire and Peterborough businesses have the highly skilled, competitive workforce they need to thrive.”

The £5 million investment will reach even more young people and help boost the local economy. Key plans include a dedicated apprenticeship service that will help 16-to-18-year-olds move smoothly from school straight into roles with local businesses.

Additionally, the funding brings back a £1.5 million pot for local providers to develop innovative programmes that are tailored to support NEET young people into employment.

Notes to Editors

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is inviting local employers, training mentors, and young residents to make the most of the funded programs. Whether you are a business looking to mitigate recruitment risks or a young person ready to jumpstart your career, discover how to access these free grants and support systems by visiting the Combined Authority’s official skills portal.

• About the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers: Launched as part of a national pilot scheme, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough is one of a select few mayoral authorities pioneering hyper-localised employment systems to lower youth unemployment and boost local supply chains.
• Case Studies & Media Materials: Broadcast and print ready from regional youth hub coordinators, trade mentors and quotes from participating local young people are available upon request.
• Media Contact: Beth Chapman
• Video Link >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75RsDYTLNrg