Marvin OnumonuLiverpool City Council has opened up new funding for organisations to help young people in the city get into work.
The money comes from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which has given the council a share of £5m as part of the national Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme.
Liverpool is one of eight areas picked to try out new ways of supporting people aged 18 to 21 who are out of work, education or training.
The council is inviting organisations to apply for grants to run employment schemes.
There are four grants available.
The first is for entry-to-employment programmes with extra support and mentoring for young people who are disengaged.
The second is for schemes that use arts, health, wellbeing or sports to motivate and engage young people.
The third is aimed at supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), aged 17 to 21, who are about to start paid work.
The fourth is for training employers to become mentors, helping businesses support and retain disadvantaged young people, including those who are care experienced.
All applications must be made at liverpool.gov.uk/trailblazergrants by 19th September.
The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme will run until March 2026 and builds on the Young Person’s Guarantee in the region.
The funding is part of the Government’s Get Britain Working White Paper, which aims to reduce economic inactivity and youth unemployment.
Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Every young person in our area deserves the chance to fulfil their potential – but too often, their opportunities are limited by circumstances outside of their control.
“Through our Young Person’s Guarantee, we’re working to put that right by giving people access to the training, support and opportunities they need to get on in life.
“This funding will help us to test new ideas, bring fresh thinking to the table, and work with local organisations who know our communities best.”
Rotheram added: “Together, we can make sure that no young person is left behind – and that they have the chance to build a brighter future here in our region.”
Councillor Joanne Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Employment, Educational Attainment and Skills, said: “This funding provides Liverpool with a real opportunity to build on the great work that is already taking place in the city to support young people into employment.
“We want to hear from organisations and employers who have innovative and sustainable ideas of how to encourage young people into employment.
“The city region has already made great strides with its Young Person’s Guarantee and we are confident that in Liverpool we can make the most of the funding we have been given to support partners so that we can all invest in the future of our young people.”
