National Grid launches £5 million fund to help 5,000 young people into work

National Grid has announced a new £5 million fund aimed at helping 5,000 young people who are not currently in employment, education or training find their way into work over the next five years.

If you're a student, graduate or young jobseeker looking to break into a career in energy, construction or infrastructure, then this could be the perfect opportunity to get a foot on the ladder.

Called the ‘Power Within Employability Fund’ the scheme will support up to 1,000 young people a year across the UK, starting from the first half of next year. It is designed to help young people build the skills, qualifications and confidence they need to access long term careers.

The fund is one of the first major commitments from a large employer following the Prime Minister's recent reforms to put technical education on an equal footing with academic study.

The reforms aim to give every young person a clearer route from the classroom into skilled work and to close the gap between how vocational and academic pathways have traditionally been treated.

The fund will be delivered through specialist employment and skills partners, connecting young people to opportunities and matching support to local needs.

On offer will be practical help to access work, including support to gain a driving licence where transport is a barrier, alongside industry-recognised qualifications such as Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards and other credentials needed for jobs in energy, construction and infrastructure.

Participants will also get one-to-one employability coaching and mentoring to help build confidence and identify career goals, plus job readiness training covering CV writing, interview preparation and communication skills.

On top of this, the fund provides direct links to employers and vacancies across National Grid, its suppliers and the wider energy and infrastructure sector, giving young people access to real job opportunities with National Grid and its UK supplier network.

Sectors like clean energy, advanced manufacturing, construction and engineering are struggling to recruit skilled workers and this fund is a direct response to that demand.

For young people who may have found it hard to get a foot in the door, whether due to a lack of qualifications, transport issues or simply not knowing where to start, this kind of structured support can make a real difference.

Launching the plan, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Last week, we announced fundamental reforms to the education system to ensure there’s parity between academic and technical routes, giving all young people the chance to a clear path in life. A key part of this is matching employers to young people to ensure they get the skills, technical knowledge and experience they need.”

“National Grid’s announcement is exactly the kind of response we want to see. Not only are they powering our country every day, but they’re putting real energy behind helping thousands of young people gain skills, build confidence and take their first steps into work. “

“We’re determined to fix the youth unemployment crisis and restore opportunity and hope across the country,” added Mr Burnham.

Miatta Fahnbulleh, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said: “Demand for skilled workers in clean energy is growing thanks to our drive for clean power, which has attracted over £100 billion in private investment.”

“Young people up and down the country will benefit from 400,000 extra clean energy jobs by the end of the decade and we’re working closely with companies like National Grid to make sure people are trained up and taking advantage of these opportunities.”

The Chief Executive Officer of National Grid, Zoë Yujnovich, also commented, saying: “I agree with the Prime Minister that too many young people are being left behind, unable to access the opportunities, skills and support they need to fulfil their potential. That’s why National Grid is launching a new £5 million fund to help around 5,000 young people not in education or work, to develop the skills, qualifications and confidence needed to build long-term careers.”

“As the UK invests in the infrastructure needed for a more secure, more resilient and cleaner energy future, we will help thousands of young people build confidence, gain qualifications and take meaningful steps towards employment. By working with expert delivery partners, colleges and employers, we can shape pathways into rewarding careers while helping to strengthen the communities we serve,” added the CEO.

If you're not currently in work, education or training and interested in a career in energy or infrastructure, keep an eye out for further details on how to apply as the scheme rolls out from next year.