New youth employment strategy promises work experience Skip to content Watch Live British Broadcasting Corporation Home News Football 2026 Sport Business Technology Health Culture Arts Travel Earth Audio Video Live Documentaries Home News US & Canada UK UK Politics England N. Ireland N. 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Tracy Brabin has also pledged to increase the number of apprenticeships by making it easier for small firms to offer opportunities. It follows a major national review that warned that 1.25m young people could be shut out of work, or education, by 2031. At an event at Bradford College today, Brabin outlined 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. BBC/NATHAN TURVEY Tracey Brabin made the pledge at a special event at Bradford College 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%. 'Right opportunity' 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." BBC/NATHAN TURVEY 18-year-old James Pearson gave the keynote speech at today's event The keynote speech at today's event was delivered by James Pearson, an 18-year old apprentice working at the Leeds-based young persons' charity CATCH. Pearson has channelled his own experience into helping other young men and women. As a child he lost both of his parents to drug addiction. "I came from a background that had a chaotic start to life, I wasn't dealt the kind of cards that many young people do get dealt. "I wanted to really motivate young people - as well as question the systems that are currently in place on how we can do things better," he said He welcomed today's announcement by the mayor and said it was "a real step in the right direction." 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 is "the good news story about devolution". "We have an integrated settlement where we have our skills funding brought together in a pool where we'll be using that money over the next 10 years," Brabin said. The 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. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. More on this story 'This is how we're helping our Neets into jobs' 'I've applied for over 200 jobs - and I'm still unemployed' Bradford Neet Tracy Brabin Mayor of West Yorkshire Related Project to replace and upgrade water mains starts Bags at side of bins may lead to fly-tipping fines Firework review welcomed as 'blight' continues More from the BBC 7 days ago Hundreds of teenagers on college waiting lists have 'nowhere to go' Young people are being turned away from courses due to a lack of funding, say college bosses 7 days ago 9 Jul 2026 Bar rules out jobs for young people whose parents apply for them Owen Williams says his bar has seen an increase in parents applying for jobs on behalf of children. 9 Jul 2026 7 Jul 2026 Mayor on 'outrageous' £660,000 extra payment to water boss The region's mayor on water, buses, women's safety and the future of public transport. 7 Jul 2026 6 Jul 2026 Results of £5m youth jobs scheme 'not good enough' The Youth Guarantee trailblazer programme fails to meet its target of supporting 500 young people over 12 months. 6 Jul 2026 4 Jul 2026 Can Burnham's 'Manchesterism' work in Yorkshire? 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