A significant new government investment aimed at unlocking 200,000 jobs and apprenticeships, mark a pivotal moment for employers, training providers and young people across the UK. With a £1 billion commitment to skills and early careers, the focus is clear; to create meaningful pathways into employment for those who need it most.
For organisations already working at the intersection of skills, employment and education, this presents both an opportunity and a responsibility.
AKG recently contributed evidence to Alan Milburn’s independent review on young people and work, highlighting the barriers many young people face in accessing sustainable employment, particularly those who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). The review’s focus on improving pathways into work is reflected in this latest government investment, reinforcing the need for joined-up support between employers, training providers and policymakers.
This alignment matters for organisations like AKG, as it validates the approach we’ve been taking, working closely with employers to design programmes that not only open doors for young people, but support them to stay and progress in work. You can read the Milburn review, AKG response, and our full evidence submission.
Lisa Nixon, Employment Engagement Director at AKG, believes providers like AKG have a critical role to play in ensuring this investment translates into real outcomes.
“As a trusted provider, we’ve seen first-hand the difference high-quality training and employer partnerships can make to young people’s lives,” she explains. “This investment is a real opportunity, but it needs the right delivery behind it. At AKG, we work closely with employers to make programmes practical, accessible and impactful. If organisations are unsure where to start, we’d encourage them to get in touch, we’re here to help make this work.”
The need for action is clear. Recent figures show that around 12.8% of 16–24-year-olds in the UK, approximately 957,000 young people, are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Within that, over 400,000 are actively unemployed, highlighting both the scale of the challenge and the untapped potential within this group.
Government measures, including up to £3,000 for employers hiring eligible young people who have been out of work for six months, alongside £2,000 incentives for SMEs and foundation apprenticeships, are designed to reduce barriers and stimulate recruitment.
But financial support alone may not be enough.
What matters is how effectively these opportunities are translated into sustainable employment and long-term skills development.
AKG has built its approach around exactly this challenge, supporting young people not just into roles, but into careers, while helping employers design programmes that align with real business needs. This includes end-to-end support, from recruitment and onboarding through to training delivery and progression.
Ayden Sims, UK CEO at AKG, sees this moment as a natural extension of the organisation’s purpose and capability.
“As a group, AKG is uniquely positioned to support both employers and learners in making the most of this investment,” he says. “Our experience across apprenticeships, skills development and workforce planning means we can respond at scale, while still delivering high-quality, tailored programmes. This is about more than filling vacancies, it’s about building a stronger, more resilient workforce for the future.”
The need for action is clear. Recent figures show that around 12.8% of 16–24-year-olds in the UK, approximately 957,000 young people, are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Within that, over 400,000 are actively unemployed, highlighting both the scale of the challenge and the untapped potential within this group.
Government measures, including up to £3,000 for employers hiring eligible young people who have been out of work for six months, alongside £2,000 incentives for SMEs and foundation apprenticeships, are designed to reduce barriers and stimulate recruitment.
But financial support alone may not be enough.
The government’s focus on young people who are currently outside of education and employment reflects a broader shift towards inclusive growth, ensuring that opportunity reaches those who are often hardest to engage.
For employers, this presents a clear call to action.
Those who move early will not only benefit from available funding but will also play a direct role in shaping the future workforce, developing talent, addressing skills gaps and contributing to long-term economic growth.
As the landscape evolves, collaboration between employers and trusted training partners, like AKG, will be essential.
