National Grid pledges £5M to help 5,000 young people into work backing Burnham’s technical education drive

National Grid has pledged £5M to fund training and employment support for 5,000 young people over the next five years becoming one of the first major employers to back Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s recent overhaul of technical education.

The “Power Within Employability Fund” is intended to help up to 1,000 young people a year who are not in education, employment or training (Neet).

National Grid said the programme will offer practical training, industry-recognised qualifications such as CSCS cards, mentoring, job‑readiness support and links to employers across the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Delivery will be handled by specialist skills partners working with colleges and employers around the UK.

The UK’s energy infrastructure developer and operator framed the move as part of a wider effort to address chronic youth disengagement and growing skills shortages in industries seen as central to the government’s reindustrialisation agenda.

These include clean energy and construction to advanced manufacturing and digital technology.

Burnham, who last week set out plans to give vocational routes parity with academic study and to allow 14‑year‑olds earlier access to technical pathways, welcomed National Grid’s commitment.

“National Grid’s announcement is exactly the kind of response we want to see,” he said.

In his initial speech, Burnham pointed to a recent review by Alan Milburn warning of a “lost generation”, more 1M 16 to 24‑year‑olds currently out of education, employment or training.

The government said the new technical routes, alongside employer-led schemes, will aim to reduce that number.

Separately, the Department for EnergySecurity and Net Zero (DESNZ) has argued the UK will need hundreds of thousands of workers for the transition to low‑carbon power and related infrastructure, a demand they said programmes like this can help meet.

What the fund offers:

• Support to overcome transport or licence obstacles, including help to gain driving licences where needed.
• Funding for industry accreditations required in energy, construction and infrastructure.
• One‑to‑one employability coaching, mentoring and life‑skills training (CV writing, interview preparation and workplace behaviour).
• Routes into vacancies across National Grid, its suppliers and the wider sector

National Grid’s chief executive, Zoë Yujnovich, said the fund aims to help those “furthest from the labour market” gain qualifications and confidence as the UK invests in infrastructure for a cleaner energy future.

The government has signalled further policy measures to lift the status of technical learning, including changing how Ofsted assesses schools and prioritising funding for vocational routes, and to expand apprenticeships and college places.

Officials said these reforms will be shaped with mayors and local authorities and rolled out progressively where Burnham has set an ambition for new technical pathways to begin from 2028.

National Grid said its fund will start supporting young people from the first half of next year, working with local partners to match provision to regional needs.

The government has asked employers, schools and local leaders to co‑design the new technical routes announced for 14‑year‑olds, with the aim of giving young people clearer options between academic and vocational progression.

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.”

Energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said: “Demand for skilled workers in clean energy is growing thanks to our drive for clean power, which has attracted over £100bn 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.”

Yujnovich said: “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 £5M 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.”

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