26 May 2026 ● Chris Eccles
New Renfrewshire jobs scheme launched to help young people into work
A new employment initiative has been launched in Renfrewshire aimed at helping more young people access part time jobs, apprenticeships and other training opportunities.
The enhanced Youth and Job Guarantee scheme has been designed to support young people into work by offering personalised guidance, careers support and direct links to local employers.
The programme aims to reduce youth unemployment while helping young job seekers move into long term employment, further education or apprenticeships.
The Youth Guarantee focuses on early engagement and tailored support to help young people overcome barriers to work and make informed decisions about their future careers. Alongside this, the Job Guarantee works directly with employers across Renfrewshire to connect job-ready candidates with suitable vacancies.
Local organisers say the initiative will continue building relationships with businesses through recruitment events, sector-based work academies and employer partnerships. Previous collaborations have included projects with local companies to help prepare young people for careers in hospitality and customer service.
As part of the programme, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in Renfrewshire is partnering with Invest in Renfrewshire to host a major recruitment event at Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley on Wednesday, 10th June 2026.
The event will run from 12.30pm until 4pm and is expected to feature more than 50 employers from a range of sectors. Visitors will also be able to speak with training providers and organisations offering apprenticeships, skills support, learning opportunities and further education advice.
Promoting the jobs on offer for young people in the area, Renfrewshire’s External Relationship Leader, Stacey Buys, said:
“Work Coaches consistently tell us that there is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone succeed. Supporting an individual to attend their first interview with confidence or securing their first job is what motivates our teams every day.”
“Through tailored support and increased time for those who need it most, we are helping people overcome barriers, develop new skills and ultimately change their lives. Early summer is an excellent time to take advantage of the wide range of opportunities currently available.”
“With more than 900 vacancies locally, now is an ideal time for individuals to explore new opportunities and take positive steps towards their future.”
“For employers with vacancies, our message is simple: ‘Get in touch.’ Jobcentre teams are here to help you recruit the right people quickly and effectively,” added Ms Buys.
Commenting on the current jobs market for young people across the UK, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, said:
“Today's figures show there were 416,000 more people in work than there were this time last year. While this is encouraging, we recognise that global challenges continue to impact the labour market. Thanks to the choices we have made, the UK economy remains resilient, having been one of the fastest growing economies in the G7 in the previous year. Boosting opportunity and tackling youth unemployment remains a priority.”
“Through our Job Guarantee, we are supporting young people into work while working closely with employers to ensure they have access to the skilled workforce they need,” said Mr McFadden.
Although the recruitment fair has a strong focus on supporting younger job seekers, organisers say people of all ages are welcome to attend.
The Renfrewshire scheme comes at a time when youth unemployment remains a growing concern across the UK, with many employers and local authorities increasing efforts to help school leavers and young adults gain work experience and access career opportunities closer to home.
