The scheme will create fully funded six-month placements, with wages paid by the taxpayer. According to the Department for Work and Pensions, the programme is expected to support more than 90,000 young people over the next three years as part of the wider Youth Guarantee.
Government Scheme Targets Long-Term Unemployment Among Young People
The first wave of participants has started moving into new roles, with Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden visiting Boots’ headquarters in Nottingham as the programme began expanding. The East Midlands was among the areas involved in the early delivery of the scheme.
The Jobs Guarantee is focused on young people aged between 18 and 24 who have been receiving Universal Credit while seeking employment for 18 months. Eligible participants are offered a six-month paid job placement, with employers receiving support through the government-funded programme.
According to the Department for Work and Pensions guidance, the national rollout will be delivered through grant-funded delivery partners working across 25 areas. Organisations involved in delivering the programme include employment support providers and community organisations selected by the department.
The scheme follows an initial phase that operated in six areas across the UK. Those areas included Birmingham and Solihull, the East Midlands, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and Essex, Central and East Scotland, and South West and South East Wales.
Mr McFadden said the programme was intended to encourage young people to engage with employment opportunities. Speaking to journalists after his visit, he said there should be an expectation that eligible claimants engage with the offer, with sanctions possible for those who refuse a placement.
DWP Links Employment Support With Wider Challenges Facing Young People
The Work and Pensions Secretary said the scheme was also part of the government’s response to rising concerns around mental health among young people. He said employment could form part of the solution by providing opportunities and helping rebuild confidence.
“I see this not only as an economic thing, but as a response to greater instances of mental health problems for young people,” Mr McFadden said. He added that the government did not want a diagnosis of a mental health condition to lead to a long-term reliance on benefits.
According to the Department for Work and Pensions, the Jobs Guarantee is intended to address the difficulties faced by young people leaving education without entering work. The department describes the programme as part of efforts to break the cycle of long-term unemployment among younger claimants.
Mr McFadden also said that confidence and belief were significant factors affecting young people’s experiences in the labour market. He added that young people should not be blamed for the challenges they face when trying to find work.
The national rollout of the scheme is planned for later in 2026, following the earlier phase of delivery. The Department for Work and Pensions has published guidance and funding documents for organisations involved in supporting the programme. The scheme marks a change in how the government is approaching support for young Universal Credit claimants who have been out of work for extended periods, combining financial support for employers with paid placements for participants.
