An ambitious new initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment across the Liverpool City Region has officially launched today. Tony McDonough reports
Less than a month after Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer announced the government would pursue new targets for young people’s participation in higher education and skills training, a new initiative to address youth unemployment across the Liverpool City Region has been launched.
Designed by Movement to Work (MtW) and delivered in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, YouthPath LCR aims to engage employers to help young people develop their skills, secure apprenticeships and access meaningful employment opportunities.
Established for more than a decade, MtW helps employers deliver high-quality employability opportunities for young people aged 16-30 facing barriers to work.
It has developed an impressive network of supporters including representatives from major UK businesses such as BAE Systems, banking group Barclays, and leading retailers Tesco and M&S.
The programme was launched at the Raise Up Youth Summit, an event held at Liverpool’s Boxpark on Wednesday, which aimed to explore how social mobility can drive economic growth and connected more than 300 young people to employers.
The event was sponsored by solicitors firm Weightmans and included panel sessions led by what it called the “best business brains” including Carl Wong from Baltic Ventures and and Amanda Unsworth of freight forwarding firm Trinity Logistics.
Targeted at young people aged 16–30 who face barriers to employment, YouthPath aims to provide high-quality pathways into work.
The initiative addresses a national challenge, with over one million young people across the UK not in education, employment, or training (NEET) — including areas of the Liverpool City Region among the hardest hit.
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Building on Mayor Steve Rotheram’s Young Person’s Guarantee and the city region’s involvement in the Government’s £45m Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, Movement to Work will work closely with local authorities and partners to connect young people with what it calls “life-changing opportunities”.
Councillor Marion Atkinson, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority portfolio holder for employment, education and skills and Leader of Sefton Council said: “YouthPath is a powerful new initiative that builds on our region’s commitment to supporting young people into meaningful employment and add value to our existing support.
“We are confident it will make a difference, helping young people develop their skills, gain experience, and secure sustainable jobs.
“By bringing together some of the country’s biggest employers, YouthPath will help us go even further — creating more opportunities for young people to thrive and contribute to the Liverpool City Region’s growth and prosperity.”
Sareena Bains, CEO of Movement to Work, added: “Now more than ever, young people need our support – and that’s why we are proud to bring YouthPath to the Liverpool City Region.
“With more than a decade of experience connecting employers with young talent at no cost, we’re ready to help businesses step up, get involved, and be part of something truly transformative.”