National Grid is investing £5 million to help 5,000 young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) gain the skills, qualifications and confidence needed to secure long-term jobs, many in Britain's fast-growing clean energy and infrastructure sectors. The move makes National Grid one of the first major employers to back Andy Burnham's flagship reforms aimed at putting technical education on the same footing as academic study.
New fund to support 1,000 young people annually
The new Power Within Employability Fund will begin operating in the first half of next year, supporting around 1,000 young people annually over the next five years. Participants will receive practical help to overcome barriers to work, including support to obtain a driving licence where transport is preventing them from taking jobs, industry-recognised qualifications such as Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards, one-to-one mentoring, CV and interview coaching, and direct links to employers across National Grid and its supplier network.
The announcement comes just days after Burnham unveiled sweeping education reforms designed to ensure every young person has a clear pathway into skilled employment, with schools, colleges, employers and local leaders working together to tailor training to the needs of local industries. The reforms are intended to address growing skills shortages in industries including clean energy, engineering, advanced manufacturing and construction while giving vocational qualifications the same status as traditional academic routes.
Government and industry reaction
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "Last week, we announced fundamental reforms to the education system to ensure there's parity between academic and technical routes – giving all young people the chance to a clear path in life. A key part of this is matching employers to young people to ensure they get the skills, technical knowledge and experience they need."
"National Grid's announcement is exactly the kind of response we want to see. Not only are they powering our country every day, but they're putting real energy behind helping thousands of young people gain skills, build confidence and take their first steps into work. We're determined to fix the youth unemployment crisis and restore opportunity and hope across the country."
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said the programme would help ensure young people benefit from the rapid expansion of Britain's green economy. She said: "Demand for skilled workers in clean energy is growing thanks to our drive for clean power, which has attracted over £100 billion in private investment."
"Young people up and down the country will benefit from 400,000 extra clean energy jobs by the end of the decade, and we're working closely with companies like National Grid to make sure people are trained up and taking advantage of these opportunities."
Zoë Yujnovich, chief executive of National Grid, said too many young people were being left behind without access to work opportunities. She added: "National Grid is launching a new £5 million fund to help around 5,000 young people not in education or work, to develop the skills, qualifications and confidence needed to build long-term careers."
"As the UK invests in the infrastructure needed for a more secure, more resilient and cleaner energy future, we will help thousands of young people build confidence, gain qualifications and take meaningful steps towards employment."
Wider government push
The latest announcement builds on a wider Government push to reduce the number of young people who are neither working nor studying, with ministers warning that more than one million 16 to 24-year-olds currently fall into that category. Recent measures have included expanded apprenticeships, employer hiring incentives and plans for new technical education pathways from the age of 14.
