Blog

Why a guaranteed first job can change a young person's future

24 Sep. 2026

By Simon Smithson, Director of Youth Services

A first job is about far more than a payslip. 

It is often a young person's first experience of independence, responsibility and belonging. It can build confidence, develop skills and shape future ambitions. Yet for many young people facing barriers to work, that first opportunity remains out of reach. 

The scale of the challenge is significant. In April to June 2026, an estimated 981,000 young people aged 16 to 24 were not in education, employment or training (NEET), representing 13% of all young people in the UK. Earlier this year, the figure exceeded one million for the first time since 2013, highlighting the urgent need for action.  

Behind these statistics are young people with talent, ambition and potential. What many lack is not capability, but opportunity. 


More than a route into work 

A first paid role can be transformative for a young person. 

Employment provides income, but its value goes much deeper. It creates structure, purpose and a sense of belonging. It helps young people develop confidence in their abilities and begin to see themselves as active participants in the workforce. 

This is particularly important for young people facing barriers such as poor mental health, financial hardship, caring responsibilities or limited access to professional networks. 

A guaranteed first job sends a powerful message: you belong here. 

That belief can be the difference between disengagement and aspiration. 

 
Building skills that last a lifetime 

Many of the skills employers’ value most are learned through experience rather than education alone. 

Communication, teamwork, resilience, problem-solving and adaptability are developed in real workplace environments. A first job gives young people the chance to build these skills while gaining exposure to professional expectations and workplace culture. 

Just as importantly, it provides evidence of capability. For many young people, the challenge is not a lack of ability but a lack of opportunity to demonstrate it. Employment creates a track record, references and practical experience that can unlock future opportunities. 

Programmes that combine paid work with personalised support recognise this reality. A first job is therefore more than a short-term opportunity. It is often the foundation of a career. 


Preventing disadvantage from becoming permanent 

Recent parliamentary figures show youth unemployment has risen to 16.2%, with 739,000 young people unemployed across the UK. During the same period, youth employment fell to 50.7%, underlining the increasingly difficult labour market many young people face. 

The longer a young person remains disconnected from employment, the greater the risk of lasting economic and social consequences. 

This is why early intervention is so important. 

Providing meaningful paid work before long-term unemployment becomes entrenched can help prevent temporary challenges becoming lifelong disadvantages. It builds confidence, creates momentum and helps young people establish positive connections with the labour market at a crucial stage of their lives. 

The Government's Jobs Guarantee programme was established against this backdrop, recognising evidence that prolonged unemployment can have significant long-term impacts on future earnings and career progression.  

 
A benefit for employers too 

The case for guaranteed employment is not solely a social one. It also makes business sense. 

Many employers continue to face recruitment challenges and skills shortages, while large numbers of young people struggle to access work. According to Youth Employment UK, nearly one in five 22 to 24-year-olds is currently NEET, demonstrating how the risk of labour market disengagement increases over time.  

These are not separate challenges. They are two sides of the same issue. 

Businesses need talent. Young people need opportunity. 

Creating accessible routes into employment helps bridge that gap, giving employers access to future talent while providing young people with the chance to gain valuable experience. 

Importantly, it challenges the assumption that potential can always be measured by qualifications or previous experience alone. Many young people simply need the opportunity to prove themselves. 

 
A chance that can change everything 

At a time when almost one million young people remain outside education, employment or training, we cannot afford to view first jobs as routine milestones.  

For many young people, a first job is the turning point that builds confidence, develops skills, creates independence and opens the door to future opportunity. 

Because when we provide a young person with their first opportunity, we are not simply helping them into a job. 

We are helping them build a future. 

Simon has experience delivering government-funded contracts working for PPDG and then APM UK, starting as an Employment Coach before progressing most recently to Operations Director, working across employability and skills contracts until 2016 when he moved to Youth contracts. Prior to this, Simon's early career included working in sales roles for Coca Cola, Imperial Tobacco and Reed.