This Youth Employment Week, the DHL UK Foundation is sharing the work of its partner, Spear, a youth employment charity that supports young people to build confidence, develop skills and move towards sustainable employment.

“Joblessness is a bottomless pit – the further you go into it, the harder it is to climb out. But we’ve seen thousands climb out and thrive. Sustained, tailored coaching in the right skills and mindset is the ladder.”

Iona Ledwidge, CEO of Spear, explains that many young people today face multiple, complex barriers to employment. Mental health challenges, low qualifications and low confidence can all make getting a job more difficult, underlining the importance of sustained, tailored support.

Spear delivers an employability programme for 16–24-year-olds who are not earning or learning. Through group coaching sessions and one-to-one support, young people start to believe in themselves, learn skills and prepare for interviews. After completing the programme, they will continue to receive follow-on support, as they move into work or study.

Since 2004, Spear have supported more than 12,000 young people across 18 centres in the UK with more than 70% of completers moving into work or education. One of these young people is Harvey.

As a young teenager, Harvey lost his mother and turned to alcohol and drugs. Shaped by grief, and difficulties at school, he left school with few qualifications and became a parent at 18. Since finishing Spear, he has started an apprenticeship at Nando’s and is renting a flat with his partner and their son and is retaking his Maths and English GCSEs. Harvey hopes to progress into a supervisor or chef.

Through the Spear Programme, Harvey found direction and a different future. Mental health issues are common among this generation, particularly following the pandemic but they do not need to be a barrier to employment. 67% of Spear trainees who have a mental health issue are earning or learning a year after completing the programme.

Our partnership with Spear demonstrates how targeted support can help young people take steps into work and education and thrive.