Realise launches pledge to help young people kick-start their careers

Realise calls on 500 employers to create apprenticeship opportunities through new Future Talent Employer campaign.

We're calling on businesses across the UK to help tackle youth unemployment by pledging to take on an administrative apprentice over the next 12 months, as part of a new national initiative aimed at creating hundreds of career opportunities for young people. 

We've launched our Future Talent Employer Pledge, with a target of recruiting at least 500 organisations to commit to employing a Level 2 Administration Support apprentice. The campaign is designed to provide young people aged 16 to 24 with a route into employment while helping businesses strengthen their operations with dedicated administrative support.

The move comes at a time when youth unemployment remains a significant challenge. Official figures show that more than one million young people are currently not in employment, education or training (NEET), representing the highest level in more than 12 years. 

Karen Matthews, Director of Business Skills Solutions at Realise, said the new apprenticeship offers benefits for both employers and young people.

“Entry-level job and career opportunities are shrinking for young people, and there is growing concern about the number who could be left out of work, education or training in the years ahead,” said Karen.

“At the same time, businesses are facing increasing administrative demands which can take valuable time away from growth and development activities.

“This apprenticeship has been designed to address both challenges. It gives young people a realistic pathway into the workplace while providing employers with support for administration, freeing up time to focus on growing their business and benefiting from the fresh perspectives and digital skills that young people bring.

“We want as many businesses as possible to demonstrate their commitment to the next generation by becoming a Future Talent Employer.” 

For many organisations, apprenticeship training costs will be fully funded by the Government. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may also be eligible for incentives worth up to £6,000. Businesses signing the pledge will receive a place on Realise’s Roll of Honour, along with support throughout the recruitment and training process.

Builders’ merchant Selco Builders Warehouse has become the first company to support the campaign. The business, which operates 75 branches nationwide, has worked with Realise on apprenticeship programmes for several years.

Sally Kerr, HR Director at Selco, said:

“We have worked with Realise on our extensive apprenticeship programmes for a number of years and they have been transformative for our business, providing excellent opportunities for developing skills and knowledge, as well as career progression for our colleagues.

“The Realise team has a fantastic reputation for delivering outstanding training provision and we are proud to support the Future Talent Employer Pledge.

“It’s an important initiative which will not only help talented young people enter the workplace but also address the growing need for meaningful employment and training opportunities.”

The Level 2 Administration Support apprenticeship is a new qualification that takes 12 months to complete and is intended primarily for young people beginning their careers. Learners develop essential workplace skills including communication, data processing, software use, planning and organisation, relationship management and handling feedback.

The programme is expected to appeal to employers across a wide range of sectors, including care services, recruitment, accountancy, legal services, logistics and manufacturing. Successful apprentices can also progress on to Level 3 programmes in areas such as Administration Specialist, HR Support and Customer Service Specialist.

Businesses interested in joining the campaign and becoming a Future Talent Employer can find out more by visiting the Realise website and searching for the Future Talent Employer Pledge.