The UK’s youth unemployment crisis has deepened this winter, but one borough in Merseyside is breaking the trend with a relentless early intervention strategy. Sefton Council’s “Step-Up” initiative, launched in 2021, has already placed 1,230 16- to 18-year-olds into paid apprenticeships, traineeships or further education placements within two years. Chloe Hughes, a 16-year-old from Bootle, landed a £6.50-an-hour apprenticeship at Wirral-based metalworks firm Metricast Ltd. after just six weeks in the program.
Nationally, nearly one million 16- to 24-year-olds are classed as Neet—Not in Education, Employment or Training—according to the latest Department for Education figures released last month. Sefton’s rate has fallen from 14.2% to 8.5%, bucking a national rise of 0.7 percentage points over the same period. Council leader Cllr. Ian Maher attributes the turnaround to a “no-wait” approach: teens receive a guaranteed interview within 10 days of registering with the program.
Key Points
- ✅ Sefton Council’s “Step-Up” program has placed 1,230 teens since 2021
- ⚡ 40% drop in youth unemployment, compared to a 0.7% rise nationally
- 💡 Guaranteed interviews within 10 days of registration
Metricast Ltd., the family-run firm that hired Hughes, has taken on 18 apprentices through the scheme. Managing director Sarah Metcalfe said the program supplies “work-ready” candidates who need minimal training. “We’ve filled three vacancies we couldn’t fill locally before Step-Up,” Metcalfe said. The council funds the first six months of each apprenticeship, covering wages and training costs up to £5,200 per placement.
| Aspect | Sefton Step-Up | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Program age range | 16–18 | 16–24 |
| Placement rate | 87% within 6 weeks | 54% within 3 months |
| Funding model | Council covers first 6 months | Varies by region |
The program’s rapid uptake has forced Sefton to expand its partnerships with 47 local employers, including Merseyside Police, Wirral NHS Trust and two major logistics firms. But challenges remain: 23% of enrolled teens still drop out before completing six months, often due to transport or childcare barriers. The council has responded with a £250,000 transport voucher scheme and £100,000 in childcare grants launched this month.
💡 Pro Tip
Parents in Sefton can now pre-register 14-year-olds for Step-Up via the council’s website, securing priority access when teens hit 16.
Chloe Hughes starts her Level 2 engineering qualification next week, alongside her £13,000-a-year apprenticeship. “Before Step-Up, I was stuck at home with no idea what to do,” she said. “Now I’ve got a real job and I’m earning while I learn.” The council aims to place 2,000 teens by the end of 2026 and cut Sefton’s youth unemployment rate to 5%, the lowest in the North West.
📋 By The Numbers
- 1,230 — Teens placed since 2021
- 87% — Placement rate within six weeks
- £250,000 — Transport voucher fund launched this month
- £100,000 — Childcare grants for struggling families
The Department for Work and Pensions has taken note, inviting Sefton to present its model at a national youth employment summit next month. Meanwhile, Chloe’s father, a warehouse operative, is studying the program for his youngest son, who turns 14 next week. “If it works for Chloe, it’ll work for him,” he said.