Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to help ensure that appropriate job opportunities are available and accessible to young people in their local areas.

Through Jobcentre Plus, DWP is helping young people to find the right support, education or training that will ultimately lead to sustained employment opportunities and career progression.

Core skills are fundamental in securing, retaining, and progressing in work. This Government has invested in apprenticeships, traineeships, vocational and basic skills training, alongside careers advice and Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs).

The Plan for Jobs provides a comprehensive package of support for young people, including the Youth Offer and Kickstart. The Kickstart scheme is dedicated to helping 16 to 24-year olds at risk of long-term unemployment develop their skills and experience through fully funded six-month jobs.

The DWP Youth Offer provides intensive work search support to young people aged 16 to 24 on Universal Credit and in the Intensive Work Search group. As part of this, Youth Hubs are co-located with partner organisations in a place-based approach. These co-delivered partnerships provide vital links within the community and offer a multitude of services, including opening up more employment opportunities within local areas.

Through our partnership network we are engaging with a broad spectrum of providers who are co-located including colleges, employers, and local authorities. Some of the national providers are National Careers Service, Princes Trust, Aspire, NHS and probation services. These organisations have access to skills and training programmes and can help with CV writing, job applications and interview preparation.

Our National Employer and Partnership team are helping to build local partnerships which are critical to delivery in this area. We also work closely with smaller organisations offering bespoke local work-related opportunities, enabling employers to support and engage their future workforce.