Briefing: What works to increase youth employment?

Many employment interventions encounter challenges in recruiting and retaining the most marginalised young people, suggesting those furthest from the labour market are at a particular risk of not receiving support. When engaged, these groups often see the greatest benefit. Reaching the most disadvantaged requires deliberate focus in programme design.

This includes piloting, and possibly a staggered rollout. If programmes are to scale successfully, it is crucial that they are informed by a clear evidence pipeline, starting with formative evaluation through a pilot, followed by efficacy trials, and then effectiveness studies, to ensure they are tested, adapted, and informed by what works.

Young people furthest from the labour market often face complex challenges, such as health issues, unstable housing or low education. Customised support and access to relevant services is necessary. Personalised support requires flexibility, a wide range of options and support for community organisations to improve accessibility.

To sustain programmes and interventions it is important that they have the resources for successful implementation.

While central government can set out the overall strategic direction of youth employment, local approaches will be pivotal in providing tailored customised support.

Insights from this review can support strategic authorities and national government to consider design and implementation barriers and facilitators for the ‘Youth Guarantee’ trailblazers initiative pilot and national rollout, particularly around delivery and working collaboratively in local areas.

Policymakers at all levels can draw learning about how to build in systems of evidence, data and continuous learning to improve future iterations of programmes, and new provision.

For national policy makers the report can support considerations around ensuring there is foundations in place to gain maximised learning from their implementation to inform next steps.

The government has made a commitment that all school and college students will receive a two-week (50 hours) work experience entitlement to boost employability skills.

This report provides policymakers with an overview of previous work experience programmes, including information about effective design and implementation, and how to use existing systems, develop partnerships with employers, and tackle barriers and facilitators to employer participation.

This report provides perspectives on what effective non-apprenticeship training looks like and can inform what types of programmes should be available via the new, more flexible levy.

Policymakers can also use this report to gain an historical overview of apprenticeship employment programmes, plan the delivery of the new levy, and consider factors that have impacted the delivery of previous apprenticeship programmes.