Nearly one million young people aged between 16 to 24 in the UK are currently not in employment, education, or training (NEET). With the government’s target to achieve 80% employment, this represents both a critical challenge and a powerful opportunity for policymakers and employers alike.
The Government’s recent announcement on increased investment in work placements, apprenticeships, and specialist employment support is welcome, as it provides the funding and focus needed to begin addressing this growing challenge.
Why young people need a new pathway to work
Youth unemployment is more than a statistic – it represents untapped potential. The pandemic’s lasting impact, rising living costs, disrupted education, and a decline in entry-level roles have left many young people struggling to find their footing. In some parts of the country, unemployment remains stubbornly high, with fewer opportunities in hospitality, retail, and leisure – industries that have traditionally provided vital first steps into work.
Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence could reshape the job market but may also further reduce the entry-level roles critical for young workers. Without these opportunities, young people risk missing out on the experience and skills they need to build successful careers.
This reality demands a new approach: one that combines early engagement in education, structured work placements, improving skills, community investment and stronger partnerships between employers and local organisations.
Creating opportunities through social value
Last month, I joined leaders from the public, private, and voluntary sectors at the Social Value Conference as part of a panel exploring how social value can create pathways for young people. Better utilisation of social value in government procurement – challenging bidders to think more innovatively and impactfully about supporting young people and local economic development – this will be a vital step toward driving large-scale change. It also provides a useful link into employers in target sectors like construction.
Almost 300 voices came together where three themes emerged:
- Representation matters: When young people see people like themselves succeed; aspirations shift.
- Experience builds experience: First opportunities are narrowing, making structured placements vital.
- Collective action at scale: Lasting change requires employers, educators, and communities to work together – building an evidence base of what works and scaling successful initiatives.
These insights shaped our conversation, and they reflect the principles that guide our work at Maximus every day. They also reiterated to me that every business and every employer can play their part.
Creating exposure through placements
One consistent message from the discussion was that work placements matter. They not only help young people explore diverse career paths and develop the skills needed to thrive in the workplace, but they also spark inspiration and broaden horizons.
Every employer can play their part. Through skills-based volunteering, Maximus has used expertise from across our business to deliver over 70 placements since June 2021, combining in-person and remote options to ensure flexibility and inclusivity. This year, we’re piloting a college-hosted placement designed to remove transport barriers and provide tailored support for students with SEND.
Since April 2022, we’ve been working with London South East Colleges (LSEC) to provide 45 students studying business, administration, and public services with a structured five-day placement. Led by Maximus professionals, these types of placements offer a real taste of the working world through interactive sessions. In 2025, the impact of this work earned us the Gold Employer Award – a proud moment that reflects our commitment to local talent development.
Investing in communities
Many young people need local support networks to thrive. There are thousands of organisations across the country delivering effective services, often at a small scale. The more that can be done to scale initiatives that work and, crucially, link them into existing employment and skills programmes, the better. Through the Maximus Local Impact Fund, we’ve built lasting partnerships and invested over £275,000 in community-led projects since 2023 – helping create real change where it matters most.
This commitment is reflected in our work with Rotherham United Community Trust (RUCT). Operating in one of the UK’s most economically disadvantaged boroughs, RUCT used its £9,800 Local Impact Fund grant to expand its Youth Hub – supporting young people like Carlton, who at 17 lacked confidence, direction, and access to opportunities. With structure and encouragement from RUCT, Carlton enrolled in a Level 3 BTEC in Sport and Fitness, taking a meaningful step toward his future. He now believes the support he received has changed his life and inspired him to help others who are navigating similar challenges.
Stories like Carlton’s remind us why community partnerships matter. By supporting local organisations, we help build the infrastructure young people need to thrive and join up services at a local level.
Breaking down barriers to employment
Many young people face complex challenges, from low confidence to ill-health and mental health concerns. As leading experts in specialist employability support, we recognise the intrinsic link between health and employment. Our programmes reflect a strong commitment to addressing these challenges through tailored, person-centred solutions.
Now in our fourth year of delivering the Restart Scheme, we’ve supported thousands of participants to overcome barriers and move closer to long-term employment, including over 32,000 young people aged between 18 and 24.
And once in employment, its critical people continue to receive support to sustain and progress in work. Through the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service, I’ve seen how we’ve provided bespoke mental health support to help over 2,000 young employees and apprentices remain in work or return with confidence.
Building the workforce of tomorrow
Tackling youth unemployment demands more than short-term fixes. It requires long-term support for coordinated practical action including mentoring, placements, community investment and employer collaboration.
One million young people represent both the scale of the challenge and the potential of the opportunity. Through social value, we can help this generation build the confidence, skills and experience to become the workforce that shapes our shared future.
