New funding helps Wigan employers boost youth recruitment

Employers across Wigan are set to benefit from an additional £200,000 investment designed to help more young people secure apprenticeships, training and long-term employment, as the borough continues its efforts to address skills shortages and support local businesses.

The funding has been allocated to Wigan Council's Future Apprentices for Business (FAB) scheme, an initiative that provides grants to employers recruiting apprentices and young people entering the workforce.

Since launching in 2023, the programme has become a key part of the borough's employment strategy, helping businesses grow while creating opportunities for residents beginning their careers.

The latest £200,000 boost builds on the success of the scheme, which has already delivered around £500,000 in funding to local employers.

Since the additional investment became available in April, more than £59,000 has already been committed, contributing to approximately 330 grants and supporting around 150 work placements since the programme first launched.

The investment comes at an important time for employers.

Nationally, the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) has risen to its highest level in more than a decade, creating challenges for both businesses looking to recruit and young people seeking their first opportunity in the workplace.

Local initiatives such as the FAB scheme are designed to bridge that gap by encouraging employers to invest in apprenticeships while reducing some of the financial barriers associated with taking on new recruits.

The programme is particularly focused on supporting priority groups, including care leavers, young people with special educational needs and those who are currently not in education, employment or training.

Alongside apprenticeship grants, Wigan Council has also introduced complementary initiatives such as the PULSE programme, which connects care leavers with local employers, and the Build Our Borough construction programme, helping young people gain practical experience with businesses operating across the construction sector.

For employers, the benefits extend beyond financial support.

Apprenticeships provide an opportunity to develop employees with skills tailored to individual business needs while strengthening long-term workforce planning.

Recruiting locally also helps businesses build stronger relationships with their communities and develop a sustainable pipeline of future talent.

Many organisations continue to report difficulties recruiting skilled employees across sectors including engineering, manufacturing, logistics, construction and professional services.

While experienced workers remain in high demand, investing in apprenticeships allows employers to develop the next generation of skilled professionals from the beginning of their careers, improving retention and helping address future skills gaps.

Wigan's continued investment in youth employment reflects a broader recognition that supporting young people into work delivers long-term economic benefits.

Businesses gain access to motivated employees, residents benefit from improved career prospects and the wider local economy is strengthened through increased employment and productivity.

As companies continue to grow, some also find that local recruitment alone cannot meet every staffing requirement, particularly for specialist technical or management positions.

In these circumstances, businesses increasingly complement apprenticeship and graduate recruitment with wider hiring strategies that extend beyond the UK labour market.

Organisations expanding internationally or recruiting specialist professionals often require support navigating unfamiliar employment regulations, compliance obligations and local labour markets.

The additional funding also sends a positive signal to businesses considering investment in Wigan.

Access to employment support programmes can reduce recruitment costs, encourage workforce development and make it easier for companies to expand their operations locally.

Combined with wider regeneration projects and investment across the borough, initiatives such as the FAB scheme contribute to creating an environment where businesses can grow sustainably.

While apprenticeship programmes alone will not solve every labour market challenge, they remain one of the most effective ways of connecting employers with emerging talent.

By investing in young people today, Wigan is helping businesses build the skilled workforce they will need in the years ahead while giving more residents the opportunity to begin rewarding careers close to home.

As the expanded funding continues to be distributed, employers across the borough are expected to benefit from greater support to recruit apprentices, develop future talent and strengthen their businesses.

For young people taking their first steps into employment, the programme offers a valuable route into skilled work, while for Wigan's business community it represents another important investment in the borough's long-term economic future.