DWP and SPFL partner to open 80 youth hubs

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Scottish Premier Football League (SPFL) have joined forces to open 80 new Youth Hubs across Great Britain. 

The move aims to boost support for young people aged 16 to 24 who are out of work or training.

Each hub will provide jobcentre support, mental health and housing help, skills and training opportunities, careers guidance and direct links to employers with live job and apprenticeship vacancies. 

The plan is to ensure every local area has a Youth Hub, building a national network to address the nearly one million young people not earning or learning, up by 248,000 between 2021 and 2024.

Scotland’s first Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair was held at Glasgow’s Concert Hall to mark the expansion, with over 2,400 young people meeting employers including Scottish Power, HSBC, Barclays, Police Scotland, the Army, Royal Air Force, NHS24, Kier Construction and the Scottish Premier Football League Trust.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “Today marks a major boost for young people with 80 new Youth Hubs and Scotland’s first Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair driving opportunity. 

“We are delivering support in every region, connecting young people with employers, and meeting them where they are so they can move into work, as we reform the welfare state into a working state. 

“This is about breaking down barriers, opening doors and ensuring every young person can earn or learn, wherever they live.”