Peterborough City Council receives £600k to help young people get into work and education
The funding will support 18 to 21-year-olds into apprenticeships, training and jobs
Last updated 28th Aug 2026
Peterborough City Council has accepted a £600,000 grant to help young people get into work and education.
Cabinet members approved the grant from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) on August 25 which will go towards delivering the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme in 2026/27.
The scheme aims to support 18-21-year-olds to access apprenticeships, training and employment support.
Cabinet member for children and young people, Cllr Katy Cole, told a meeting: “I want to see every young person and every child thrive in this city.
“For me it is really important that officers and those who have links to communities that don’t necessarily engage as well with education are reached out to.”
The scheme has already been running for one year in Peterborough and the new funding will ensure it can continue for a second year, as well as extending the current offer for 16–18-year-olds to include young people through to the age of 21.
The council has extended its statutory tracking arrangements beyond the traditional 16–18 age range to include young people in Year 14 and beyond.
As a result, last year, 45 young people who were not participating in education, employment or training were identified and offered targeted support.
The city council’s service director for education Carrie Traill said: “We have recently, as part of the youth guarantee, commissioned a communication service in order to make better use of apps and communication to young people because evidence suggests that has a higher success rate reaching out digitally rather than the tradition of writing letters.”
The first year of the scheme saw young people successfully enrolling in college within days of initial contact and pupils returning to education after periods of disengagement and accessing progression routes towards higher-level study.
Cllr Cole added: “We value opportunities that allow our young people to gain independence and find a pathway into a fulfilling career, which this scheme is helping to achieve.
“Finishing school and moving into the world of work or further education can be daunting, so we are actively working with partners to providing support to 18-21-year-olds. This work is crucial to ensuring that no young person is left behind.”