A coalition of major British employers has launched an initiative aimed at addressing the escalating challenge of youth unemployment and underemployment. The campaign, called First Chance, is spearheaded by former Cabinet minister Alan Milburn and includes prominent companies such as Royal Mail, Octopus Energy, Greene King, Lloyds Banking Group, and NatWest.

First Chance seeks to encourage businesses to expand opportunities for young people through the creation of entry-level jobs, apprenticeships, internships, work experience placements, mentoring programs, and workplace insight days. The initiative targets young people who are currently unable to access education, employment, or training, a group commonly referred to as NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).

Milburn has reached out to over 100 business leaders to participate in the campaign, warning that the UK risks losing an entire generation without immediate intervention. Currently, more than one million young people fall into the NEET category, a number that could increase by approximately 25% over the next five years. The tightening of employment and training pathways has contributed to the worsening situation, with six in ten NEETs reported to have never held a job, despite more than 80% expressing a desire to work or receive training.

Companies involved in the campaign have highlighted their commitments to youth employment. Royal Mail stated that 25% of its new hires are between the ages of 16 and 24. Octopus Energy emphasized the potential for growth in the clean energy sector, projecting it could generate up to 725,000 jobs by 2030.

Milburn emphasized that companies across sectors can play a practical role by offering young people the initial opportunities they need to start their careers. The First Chance campaign represents a coordinated business effort to mitigate the growing barriers faced by young job seekers in the UK labor market.