The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer – the pilot initiative supporting young people across the West of England to access employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities – marked its first anniversary this month.
Over 300 young people have already taken up support through the scheme. Aiming to help provide them with the skills and confidence to move into work, benefits include one-to-one advice and access to a range of practical support, including access to digitaldevices to help them get online and free bus travel to enable better access to employment opportunities across the region.
125 participants have so far progressed into work, apprenticeships, volunteering, education or training opportunities. The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is making real progress on unlocking potential and changing lives, with participants noting their improvedconfidence and the independence they’ve experienced.
Young people taking part said:
- “My confidence has increased immensely since beginning the project and engaging with my mentor, and because of this project, I was offered paid charity work at my placement.”
- “I was able to take public transport independently to reach my work placement and despite having panic attacks and severe anxiety, I felt really valued when I previously hadn’t.”
- “I have received excellent support from my mentor and have managed to boost my confidence around myself and work.”
In June 2025, it was announcedin the Spending Review that funding would be extended, an additional £5 million in year two enabling the introduction of support for care leavers in North Somerset and a range of support set to be deliveredthrough new funding for the region’s Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise sector.
Local events have taken place in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, bringing together participants, employers, partners and supporters to celebrate the achievements of young people during the Youth Guarantee’s first year.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“This first year of our regional Youth Guarantee is demonstrating our ability to make a difference. The prospects for hundreds of young people have already changed for the better, and we applaud their hard work and commitment whether it’s been attaininga job, educational course or other opportunities in the voluntary sector.
“Just like them, every young person in the West of England deserves the chance to succeed, so now is the time to step things up a gear. With more funding for the Youth Guarantee during this second year, we can provide even more advice and support to helpgive more young people more opportunities.”
Councillor Kevin Guy, Deputy Mayor of the West of England and Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council; Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council; Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council; Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader ofSouth Gloucestershire Council, and Councillor Ian Boulton, Co-Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:
“After just one year of the pilot, the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer has delivered exceptional results. Through a combination of personal coaching, emotional wellbeing support, English and maths tuition, and real work experience, we have seen youngpeople taking part in the initiative grow in confidence, independence and motivation, leading to success in securing paid employment. We’ve heard employers report they’ve experienced improved morale and highly positive placement experiences. We are proud tobe supporting over 300 young people across the region and to be creating meaningful opportunities that are genuinely life changing. We look forward to supporting even more next year and beyond.”
The West of England is one of only eight Trailblazer regions in England picked to pioneer this new approach, testing how local leadership, partnership working, and enhanced support services can improve outcomes for young people. The learnings here will informpolicy development across the country and help shape the future.
