NEARLY £7.1 million has been approved by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority to help more young people into training and work.

The authority has opted to continue the regional Youth Guarantee Trailblazer (YGT) project at the completion of its pilot year.

Part of the Government’s Get Britain Working initiative, Youth Guarantee has engaged almost 400 young people across the West.

Since the programme launched in June, 2025, it has helped 70 young people into paid employment, education, or training, and given support to another 200.

In the region, 120 employers are now actively developing work-focused opportunities for young people.

Over the coming year, local authorities are set to share about £2 million to deliver more services in their areas with a further new fund being established for the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.

This fund will access a further £700,000 per year for up to three years to help join up support for young people within the VCSE sector.

The hope is this funding will enable local organisations to design and deliver new solutions, and use their trusted relationships to support a further 1,100 young people aged 18 to 21 years through the Youth Guarantee programme.

In 2026/27, the YGT project aims to support 730 young people across the West, including 360 via the new VCSE fund.

An event on March 2 in The Engine Shed, Redcliffe, Bristol, will focus on the VCSE sector and the opportunities for organisations to group together with collaborative, larger bids.

West of England Mayor Helen Godwin said: “While our recent economic growth is the best in the country, social mobility in parts of the West is among the worst.

“This means that children born here are less likely than others to escape poverty or challenges faced growing up.

“That must change, and that is why interventions like the Youth Guarantee are so important.

“Working with employers, councils, and, soon, the voluntary sector, we can give all of our young people the right support and guidance to get on in life.

“The West must ensure that everybody can see a pathway to work, to the careers they want, and the jobs that we need.

“Together, we can build a brighter future where everyone can contribute to, and share in, our region’s success.”

Cllr Paul May, cabinet member for children’s services at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “This additional funding means we can continue to build on the outstanding work already underway through the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer.

“Our team has worked tirelessly to create a programme rooted in what young people tell us they need most, consistent, long term support from trusted adults.

“The early results from the pilot clearly show the power of relationship based coaching, together with practical support like transport, in transforming engagement and outcomes.

“This multi-year investment will help us go further, ensuring more young people across Bath and North East Somerset have the stability, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive.”