Sefton Council is urging local young people aged 18 to 21 to sign up for a new Trailblazer course to help them move into employment, training or further education.

Work starter pack worth £200 

Trailblazer is a fully‑funded support programme delivered by Sefton@Work. It is designed to remove common obstacles facing young adults and offers a £200 work starter pack.

Travel for the first‑month is free, 1-2-1 mentoring is available and a three‑month gym pass provided. These are all designed to improve confidence, wellbeing and readiness for work.

Local employers who take part can access to up to £6,000 in incentive grants for hiring eligible young people.

Free courses now open

A wide range of free courses are now open, including:

• Creative Gym - a 26-week programme covering digital art, photography, game design, creative writing.
• Construction Skills with a free starter tool kit.
• Fasttrack Level 2 Beauty with free uniform and kit.
• Sound City music industry course.
• Zope Actors Studio for those interested in creative industries.
• Inner Compass and Purpose Project for 1‑to‑1 wellbeing and career direction support.

The Government’s national Youth Guarantee Trailblazer scheme is pioneering innovative ways to support young people aged 18–21 who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET). It is bringing together and enhancing existing programmes in partnership with local areas. In Sefton it is being coordinated by the Council's Sefton@Work team.

Potential

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said: “The good news is that Sefton has the region’s lowest rate of young people who are NEETS, but it is important we give those young the opportunity to make the most of their potential and their lives.

“These Trailblazer course are designed to do just that while providing young people who take them up with a range of support like free travel, cash, tools and uniforms.

“All you have to do is sign up with Sefton@Work and then decide which trail you are going to blaze.”

Register with Sefton@Work 

To take part in the Trailblazer programme, young people must register with Sefton@Work. Details are available at https://seftontrailblazer.my.canva.site or young people can contact the team at TRAILBLAZER@SEFTON.GOV.UK or by calling 0151 934 2610.

Sefton@Work continues to build a stronger, more inclusive Borough by connecting residents with opportunities, supporting employers, and celebrating the social value created through collaboration.

Free, confidential, impartial advice

It offers free, confidential, impartial advice and guidance to Sefton residents over 16 years of age on all aspects of jobs, education, training, including self-employment.

The team offer varied types of client centred support to meet each individual’s needs. This can include help back into work, finding their first job or help with a change of career. Sefton@Work also provides free recruitment services for local employers, which includes advertising vacancies, managing applications and pre-screening applicants. Businesses get a free, bespoke recruitment service via the Employer Liaison Team.

You can find out more here.