National Grid chooses partners for its Power Within programme supporting 5,000 young people towards employment

The three organisations will provide tailored training and employability support, helping young people overcome barriers, gain practical skills and qualifications, and prepare for their next step towards employment.

Each partner will bring different experience and routes for reaching young people:

• The King’s Trust will help young people develop confidence and skills through personal development, education, training and employability support.
• VIY will give young people opportunities to develop construction and employability skills while working alongside professional tradespeople on community projects.
• Fedcap will provide personalised support to help identify and address any individual barriers and circumstances facing each participant.

Power Within forms part of National Grid’s wider commitment to ensure communities benefit from the investment being made in the country’s energy infrastructure. Its first phase will focus on areas where youth economic inactivity and deprivation coincide with National Grid’s presence and investment.

Cordi O’Hara, Executive President, National Grid UK, said:

“Too many young people face barriers that can make it harder to build confidence, develop new skills and take their next step into employment.

“Power Within is about working with experienced partners to provide practical support that reflects what young people need to help them progress. The King’s Trust, VIY and Fedcap each bring different strengths and experience that together can help thousands of young people develop the skills and confidence to progress.”

Pat McFadden, Work and Pensions Secretary, said:

“No young person should be left behind because they couldn't get the first step onto the career ladder.

“Power Within is a great example of business stepping up to tackle youth unemployment, and I welcome National Grid's investment alongside partners like The King's Trust, VIY and Fedcap.

“It comes alongside our investment to get almost one million young people into work, because everyone deserves the chance to get on, no matter where they start.”

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said:

“Our clean power drive has attracted over £100 billion in private investment, and that means growing demand for people with the skills to build Britain’s clean energy future.

“We’re working closely with companies like National Grid to help young people seize these opportunities. The Power Within programme will support the next generation as they develop the skills, experience and qualifications they need to power Britain in the industries of the future.”

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The £5 million Power Within fund will provide young people with practical training, qualifications and employability support tailored to the barriers that they face. This may include:

• Practical help to access work, including support to gain a driving licence where transport is a barrier;
• Industry-recognised qualifications and accreditations, including Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards;
• One-to-one employability coaching and mentoring to help participants build confidence and identify their goals; and
• Job-readiness and life-skills training, including CV writing, interview preparation, communication skills and workplace behaviours.

The first phase will focus on building the skills, confidence and qualifications young people need to take their next step towards employment. As the programme develops, National Grid and its partners will explore how participants can be connected to relevant opportunities in their local areas.

Susan Paterson, Executive Director, Fedcap Employment, said:

“At Fedcap Employment, we have a longstanding commitment to working alongside communities to tackle the growing crisis of young people not in education, employment or training. We know that talent exists in every community, but opportunity does not always follow. Through Power Within, we are proud to partner with National Grid to break down barriers, build skills and create pathways to sustainable employment. As Fedcap expands its skills programmes to prepare people for careers in the energy transition, partnerships like this are essential to making those opportunities a reality. Together, we can help more young people achieve lasting economic mobility.”

Jonathan Townsend, UK Chief Executive of The King's Trust, said:

“Too many young people face barriers that can prevent them from reaching their potential, despite having the talent, ambition and determination to succeed.

“We’re extremely grateful for National Grid's investment in our work, which will help more young people in Newcastle develop confidence, build practical skills and access the opportunities they need to move closer to employment.”

Tim Reading, CEO, Volunteer It Yourself (VIY), said:

“Partnering with National Grid to help deliver the Power Within Employability programme is a really strong fit for VIY. Our current delivery nationwide gives young people who are NEET the chance to gain practical hands-on skills, mentoring, qualifications and work experience whilst helping to renovate and retrofit local community spaces and venues that matter, especially in regions and locations where the need is greatest. In this way, our model absolutely mirrors the goals and ambitions of the Power Within Employability programme by building young people's skills, confidence and work-readiness to unlock 'next step' further training and job pathways, and ultimately meet workforce demands, across the construction, infrastructure and energy sectors.”