The placements will begin to be rolled out in six parts of the UK with high youth unemployment from spring 2026, it has been confirmed by the Department for Work and Pensions, following the initial announcement of the scheme in September.
The six-month roles will be “fully subsidised” for 25 hours a week, paid at the legal minimum wage from an £820m pot announced at the Budget, allocated until 2029, which will also fund training and work support.
The placements will be offered to 18- to-21-year-olds on universal credit who have been looking for work for 18 months.
Employers taking part in the scheme are yet to be announced, but ministers have said new opportunities will be created in sectors including construction, health and social care and hospitality.
In total, the government plans to create 350,000 training and work experience placements.
On BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg McFadden was pressed for more detail on what might count as a good reason to decline a role.
He said this could include where a “family emergency” prevented them from making an appointment.
McFadden added: “This is an offer on one hand, but it’s an expectation on the other. Because the future we don’t want for young people is to be sitting at home on benefits, when there are other options out there.”
The number of 16-24-year-olds not in employment, education or training – known as Neets – has been trending upwards since 2021, with the latest figures showing nearly a million young people are now not earning or learning.