Mayor guarantees work experience for under-18s

The mayor of West Yorkshire has promised that every child in the county will have undertaken a work experience placement by the time they turn 18.

Tracy Brabin is also pledging to increase the number of apprenticeships by making it easier for small firms to offer opportunities.

It comes after a major national review warned that 1.25m young people could be shut out of work, or education, by 2031.

At an event at Bradford College later, Brabin will outline what she has called her "West Yorkshire Promise" for young people - which also includes more skills training and mental health support, and an extra £3m in funding for construction industry placements for 16-18 year-olds.

Brabin said: "Talent is everywhere in West Yorkshire, but opportunity isn't.

"Where you come from shouldn't decide how far you can go and that is at the heart of our West Yorkshire Promise – a fair chance to flourish for every young person, no matter their background or postcode.

"So to every young person struggling to find work, and to every mum, dad or grandparent lying awake at night worried about their kids' future, my message is simple – we will not write this next generation off."

The strategy is aimed at every 14-24 year-old in the region and involves improving links between schools, colleges and employers.

By 2035, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority is aiming to halve the number of 16-17 year-olds classed as Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) – down from 6% to 3%.

Bradford was chosen for the launch as in 2022-2023, 6.8% of young people aged 16-17 in the city were classed as NEET.

But today that figure has dropped to 4%, which is also below the national average of 5.8%, according to the mayor's office.

Chris Webb, the CEO and principal of Bradford College, said: "At Bradford College, we see every day the difference that the right opportunity at the right time can make to a young person's future.

"The West Yorkshire Promise is exactly the kind of bold, joined-up approach that's needed to ensure no one is left behind."

As part of the strategy, WYCA is proposing to double the number of young people gaining "meaningful" work experience between the school years of 7 and 13 over the next three years.

Those from poorer backgrounds, additional needs and those most at risk of dropping out of school will be prioritised.

According to the mayor, the £3m funding will be used to create new construction places for 16 to 18 year-olds, which will help with the growth of towns and cities in the area, as well as the new Weaver transport network.

Through the strategy Brabin has said she aims to provide support to every single state secondary school and further education college in the region.

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