In a significant move to address youth unemployment and skills shortages, National Grid has announced a new £5 million initiative aimed at supporting 5,000 young people across the UK. The Power Within Employability Fund will provide essential skills, qualifications, and confidence-building opportunities to help young individuals secure long-term careers, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
This announcement comes on the heels of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s recent education reforms, which seek to elevate technical education to the same status as academic study. The reforms aim to create clear pathways from the classroom to skilled employment, ensuring that young people have access to opportunities that match the needs of local industries.
National Grid’s Commitment to Youth Employment
National Grid’s £5 million fund will support up to 1,000 young people annually over the next five years, starting in the first half of next year. The initiative is designed to help participants overcome barriers to employment, such as obtaining a driving licence where transport is a hindrance. The fund will also provide industry-recognised qualifications, including Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards, and offer one-to-one mentoring, CV and interview coaching, and direct links to employers within National Grid and its supplier network.
The programme will be delivered through specialist employment and skills partners, ensuring that support is tailored to the needs of young people furthest from the labour market. By investing in practical training, employability skills, and qualifications, National Grid aims to address critical skills shortages in sectors vital to Britain’s future, such as clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and construction.
Government and Industry Collaboration
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed strong support for National Grid’s initiative, stating that it aligns with the government’s mission to fix the youth unemployment crisis and restore opportunity and hope across the country. Burnham emphasized the importance of matching employers to young people to ensure they gain the skills and experience needed for successful careers.
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh highlighted the growing demand for skilled workers in the clean energy sector, noting that over £100 billion in Private Investment has been attracted thanks to the drive for clean power. She added that young people up and down the country will benefit from 400,000 extra clean energy jobs by the end of the decade, with companies like National Grid playing a crucial role in training and employment.
Zoë Yujnovich’s Vision for the Future
Zoë Yujnovich, Chief Executive of National Grid, expressed her agreement with the Prime Minister’s stance that too many young people are being left behind. She announced the launch of the new £5 million fund to help around 5,000 young people not in education or work develop the skills and qualifications needed for long-term careers. Yujnovich emphasized the importance of working with expert delivery partners, colleges, and employers to shape pathways into rewarding careers while strengthening the communities served by National Grid.
The latest announcement builds on a wider government push to reduce the number of young people who are neither working nor studying. Recent measures have included expanded apprenticeships, employer hiring incentives, and plans for new technical education pathways from the age of 14. National Grid’s initiative is a significant step forward in addressing youth unemployment and ensuring that young people have access to the opportunities they need to succeed.
