The commencement of Youth Employment Week in the United Kingdom serves as a significant milestone for addressing youth unemployment and fostering new talent within the built environment. This national initiative brings together young individuals, educators, employers, and strategic partners to create meaningful opportunities across the country.
In a recent address, Baroness Jacqui Smith, the Minister for Skills, highlighted the UK Government’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment through a three-year, £2.5 billion investment into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy. This strategy focuses on providing robust “earn and learn” options, expanded youth hubs, and paid work placements.
As a major UK civil engineering and reinforced concrete specialist, MPB Structures fully aligns its corporate objectives with these national frameworks. By working in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and actively participating in initiatives championed by The 5% Club, MPB remains dedicated to transitioning young people, particularly those within the Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) demographic, into sustainable, long-term careers.
Core Initiatives Driving Youth Employment at MPB
MPB delivers structured pathways into the construction sector through a combination of accredited training, community partnerships, and localised recruitment pipelines. The primary initiatives include:
- Accredited Apprenticeship Programmes: In collaboration with Salford City College and Heyrod Training Services, MPB provides a series of intermediate apprenticeships funded by the Skills Funding Agency. These pathways enable young people to combine academic study with practical, on-site experience alongside industry experts. Core pathways encompass General Construction Operations and Civil Engineering, Steel Fixing, and Formwork Carpentry.
- Dedicated Partnerships for At-Risk Youth: MPB maintains a long-standing collaboration with Youthbuild UK, an organisation established to support young people facing social exclusion or unemployment. This partnership offers vulnerable young adults a direct and supported route into the construction sector, promoting social mobility.
- On-Site Training Hubs and Guaranteed Interviews: To combat regional unemployment, MPB engages directly with local regeneration projects. Through its involvement with the Smithfield Training Hub in Birmingham, operated by The Skills Centre, MPB acts as a key employment partner. Local unemployed youth who complete intensive construction training at the hub are provided with guaranteed job interviews.
- “Skills for the Future” Initiatives: MPB integrates youth development directly into large-scale engineering projects. Within the Skills for the Future framework at the Therme Manchester site, the company delivers specialised training opportunities on complex, visionary infrastructure developments, nurturing the next generation of industry specialists.
- School Outreach and “Open Doors” Events: To inspire individuals before they enter the workforce, MPB works closely with local authorities, schools, and colleges. The business regularly participates in the nationwide Open Doors initiative, welcoming students and career-changers into live construction sites and active training facilities to experience the industry firsthand.
Leadership Perspectives
“Youth Employment Week provides an essential platform to highlight the vital role that structured technical training plays in driving social mobility. At MPB, we are deeply committed to ensuring that young individuals, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds or within the NEET demographic, are given the resources and mentorship required to build rewarding, long-term careers. Investing in the next generation is not merely a corporate responsibility; it is fundamental to the future sustainability of the civil engineering sector.”
Martyn Price MBE, Business & People Development Director at MPB
“The civil engineering and construction sectors offer exceptional opportunities for career development, but addressing the skills gap requires definitive corporate action and partnership. MPB remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting young people across the United Kingdom by embedding dedicated training hubs and guaranteed career pathways directly into our major infrastructure projects. By providing high-quality, practical experience, we aim to cultivate a highly skilled and confident future workforce.”
Sean Boyle, Board Director at MPB
Through these comprehensive frameworks, MPB continues to remove barriers to entry, ensuring that young people across the United Kingdom are empowered to enter the workforce with pride, confidence, and a clear sense of purpose.
