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Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to Champion Young Voices in Youth Guarantee Trailblazer

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Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to Champion Young Voices in Youth Guarantee Trailblazer

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) has taken a significant step forward in ensuring young people’s voices are at the heart of shaping the future of employment and training support in the region. At yesterday’s Skills and Employment Committee meeting, members approved the establishment of a Youth Forum for 16-21-year-olds to guide the delivery of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, a groundbreaking initiative to help young people overcome barriers to education, training, and employment.

As one of only eight Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) chosen to trial this innovative Government policy, CPCA has secured £5 million in funding for the first year of the initiative. This funding, announced in the Government’s Get Britain Working White Paper, represents a unique opportunity for the region to lead the way in tackling challenges faced by young people entering the workforce.

The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer will begin in April 2025, running until March 2026, and aims to:

  • Provide tailored support for 18-21-year-olds to prepare for employment and access local education and training opportunities.
  • Enhance collaboration between local councils, Jobcentre Plus, employers, and other key partners.
  • Improve digital services and outreach to connect young people with support systems.

The newly approved Youth Forum will bring together representatives aged 16-21 (up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) from across the six constituent regions of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The forum will consult on key aspects of the Trailblazer, including barriers to employment, digital service delivery, and designing ‘young person-friendly’ job opportunities. Members will also gain valuable advocacy and peer research skills, enhancing their future career prospects.

Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is an incredible opportunity for our region to lead the way in supporting young people into meaningful employment and training opportunities. By establishing the Youth Forum, we are putting young voices front and centre, ensuring they help shape the solutions that will directly impact their lives”

Applications for membership will open on 31 January 2025, with the forum set to hold its first meeting during February half-term.