Youth Guarantee Trailblazer

Youth Guarantee Trailblazer

Supports young adults in the Tees Valley with subsidised placements through the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer.

The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is a UK Government-funded programme delivered by the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), a statutory partnership of five local authorities — Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, and Stockton-on-Tees — established in April 2016. The programme aims to increase participation in employment and training among young people aged 18 to 21 who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Employers who participate receive subsidised work placements and taster sessions, allowing them to offer structured short-term roles to NEET young people at reduced direct cost to the business. The programme is open to employers based both within and outside the Tees Valley region, provided that NEET participants can travel to the employer's site.

The Youth Guarantee Trailblazer has received UK Government approval for an additional year of operation beyond its original scope. As of mid-2026, full applications are closed while TVCA finalises delivery plans for the next cohort; interested employers can register on a waiting list via teesvalley-ca.gov.uk to receive updates when the next application window opens. The subsidy amounts payable per placement are not publicly disclosed on the programme page.

Employers in any sector are potentially eligible — TVCA has not published sector restrictions. The programme is administered through TVCA's Business Growth and Workforce Skills team and is part of a broader suite of business-facing employment support that includes Skills Bootcamps and the Adult Skills Fund. Enquiries can be directed to info@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk or 01325 792600.