We welcome the Government’s announcement of expanded support, new training and work experience opportunities as an important step toward tackling the ongoing challenge of youth inactivity and unemployment in the UK. The package of measures, backed by an £820 million investment, recognises the urgent need to create real routes into work, skills and sustainable employment for close to one million young people who are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET).

At Drive Forward Foundation, we work every day with care-experienced young adults who face some of the highest barriers to employment, training and progression. Our evidence shows that individualised, tailored support, including employability skills development, in-work mentoring, and sustained employer engagement, significantly improves outcomes for young people who have previously disengaged from learning or the labour market.

We strongly support the focus on opportunities that build skills, confidence and networks. Young people with lived experience of the care system are far more likely to be NEET than their peers and need both wrap-around support and quality opportunities that go beyond a one-off placement to include ongoing coaching, meaningful job experience and pathways into long-term employment.

A growing body of independent evaluation – including of our own work – demonstrates that personalised, holistic support combined with workplace exposure helps young people transition into sustainable work and reduces the risk of long-term joblessness. This aligns with broader evidence on what works in youth employment: programmes that integrate skills development, employer partnerships and sustained mentoring deliver stronger, longer-lasting outcomes than stand-alone, short-term placements.

We particularly welcome elements of the Government’s plan that:

• Expand access to training and work experience across sectors where skills shortages are acute, helping young people build transferable, in-demand skills.
• Strengthen local support services via Youth Hubs, ensuring young people can access careers guidance, CV support and bridging services in their communities.
• Provide guaranteed interview and apprenticeship pathways that open doors to long-term careers through the Youth Guarantee.

At the same time, we urge policy makers and delivery partners to prioritise quality and inclusion in programme design. Evidence clearly shows that:

• Sustained employer engagement is key – young people need opportunities where they can learn, contribute and grow, not just tick a placement box.
• Holistic support structures – including mentoring, mental health and in/post-placement support dramatically increase the likelihood of sustaining employment.
• Targeted efforts for marginalised cohorts, including care-experienced people, must be embedded into training and work experience initiatives to ensure equity of impact.

Drive Forward Foundation stands ready to work with Government, employers, and delivery partners to help make this expanded support truly effective on the ground. When we enable young people to unlock their potential through meaningful skill-building and sustained employer connection, we strengthen individuals, local communities and the wider economy.