Campaign launched to help young jobseekers get a foot in the door with local employers

A city-wide campaign has been launched to encourage local businesses to create opportunities for young claimants aged 16 to 24.

The Open One Door campaign launched by Plymouth City Council, the Department for Work and Pensions - Plymouth Jobcentre Plus, the Devon Chamber of Commerce and the Devon and Cornwall Training Provider Network, aims to support the UK Government’s Youth Guarantee investment designed to tackle youth unemployment and economic inactivity by ensuring every young person has access to earn or learn. 

The new localised campaign supports the UK Government’s Youth Guarantee investment designed to tackle youth unemployment and economic inactivity by ensuring every young person has access to earn or learn. 

Around 4,400 young people aged 16 to 24 in Plymouth are currently claiming Universal Credit through the local job centres, with approximately 1,800 currently actively seeking work, training or other opportunities.

Behind every benefit claim is a young person with ambitions for their future. Some have never worked since leaving education, some are unemployed graduates, college leavers or former apprentices who have the skills and motivation employers need, but are looking for an opportunity to gain experience, build confidence and secure their first or next role.

Councillor Tess Blight, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Libraries at Plymouth City Council, said: "Open One Door asks Plymouth based employers to make a simple commitment: offer one opportunity to a young jobseeker aged 16 to 24 over the next 12 months. That opportunity could be a workplace visit, unpaid work experience placement, a short-term job fully funded by government, or consideration for an existing job vacancy.

"We're particularly keen to support more employers explore apprenticeships and the range of fantastic financial incentives as part of their grow your own workforce planning. We recognise that apprenticeships provide a fantastic route for young people to earn, learn and develop the skills businesses need, while creating a pipeline of future talent for Plymouth's economy.”

Open One Door is built on the belief that creating opportunities for young jobseekers is a shared responsibility. Success will come from employers, educators, training providers and public services working together to unlock more meaningful and inclusive routes into sustainable employment, and at a much greater scale.

Lynne McBain, Partnership Manager for the Department for Work and Pensions, said: “With growing numbers of young people aged 16-24 not in education, employment or training, helping them move into employment is not only important for individuals and their wider families, but also for Plymouth's future economic growth. Many young people have qualifications, transferable skills, talent and ambition, but often need opportunities to build confidence, develop workplace experience, expand their networks and demonstrate what they can offer. A single opportunity, conversation, work experience placement, mentoring offer, or job interview can be the one door that opens a pathway to a brighter future.

"Open One Door” is about encouraging employers to become part of that journey, helping to transform lives while also developing their future workforces. It provides a practical way for employers to be part of the solution, while also starting a conversation about the support available to both businesses and young people through Plymouth's employment and skills network and the wider Youth Guarantee Employer offer."

Ronnie Carter, Chief Innovation Officer at Devon Chamber of Commerce, added: “A great deal of local recruitment happens through networks, word of mouth and personal connections. That can work well for people who are already established, but young people leaving education have not yet had the opportunity to build those networks. As a result, many jobs and career paths may never become visible to them. Around 1,800 young people in Plymouth are currently looking for work, and some may never have had the chance to step inside a workplace and discover what they could offer.

“Open One Door helps bridge that gap. An employer can offer a workplace visit, work experience, mentoring, an interview, an apprenticeship or another route into employment. For a business, it is an opportunity to meet fresh talent and build its future workforce. For a young person, it could be the moment that changes what they believe is possible. Investing in young people is an investment in the future of your business and our local economy. Through the Youth Guarantee, the Growth and Skills Levy and other government backed initiatives, support and funding may be available to help eligible employers create meaningful opportunities for people aged 16 to 24. Devon Chamber of Commerce will support employers that want to take part. Whatever the size or sector of your business, we encourage you to open one door, start a conversation and discover the talent that is already on your doorstep.”

Sharron Robbie MBE, Chief Executive of the Devon and Cornwall Training Providers Network (DCTPN), said: “Open One Door is a powerful reminder that every young person in Plymouth has potential waiting to be unlocked. At the DCTPN, we see first‑hand how the right opportunity can transform confidence, skills and long‑term prospects - which is why this campaign is so important. By encouraging employers to open just one door, we can help young people take that crucial first step into work or training and strengthen the future talent pipeline for our city.” 

The Open One Door campaign is now calling on Plymouth employers of all sizes and sectors to get involved. Whether it's creating a job opportunity, recruiting an apprentice, offering work experience, hosting a workplace visit or mentoring a young jobseeker, every opportunity has the potential to make a lasting difference.

The young jobseekers are ready and willing to work. The support is in place. Now Plymouth's employers are being asked to open the door.

Open one door. Offer one opportunity. Help build Plymouth's future workforce.

Plymouth based employers are invited to start the conversation here: Employer expression of interest: Open One Door for young people in Plymouth – Fill in form

For further information on the national Youth Guarantee offer visit: Build Your Future Workforce