Youth jobs fair puts 1,000 young people behind the wheel of farming careers

More than 1,000 young people tried their hand at farming, welding and lorry driving at Norfolk's first Youth Guarantee jobs fair, the latest in a national series of events helping under-25s into work, training or apprenticeships.

The fair, held at AgriFest, brought together 65 employers and partners to show young people from rural communities the range of careers in agriculture and the businesses that support it.

Learning by trying

Rather than simply handing out leaflets, the event let visitors test out real jobs. Young people tried virtual reality welding simulations, HGV training and an exercise building a water irrigation network.

An "employability zone" gave advice on finding job opportunities, filling in applications and preparing for interviews, to help them take the first step into work with more confidence.

Employers ranged from farms and food producers, including Elveden Farms, Cranswick, Gressingham Foods and Albert Bartlett, to Anglian Water, Lidl, Starbucks, the Royal Navy and the Sizewell C nuclear power station project. Colleges, Norfolk Young Farmers and youth charities including the King's Trust and Mind were there too.

"Every young person deserves the chance"

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: "Every young person deserves the chance to fulfil their potential, which is why we're bringing jobs, training and support directly into communities."

"I'm delighted to see businesses and local partners opening doors for hundreds of young people, offering not just interviews, but also mentorship and career advice," he said. "Through the Youth Guarantee, we're determined to give every young person the chance to earn or learn."

The farmer and social media influencer Farmer Will, who supported the event, said: "It can be hard to know what you want to do when you're starting out, and sometimes you just need that first conversation or bit of encouragement to see what's possible."

A national programme

Youth Guarantee jobs fairs have already been held in Bristol, Glasgow, Cardiff, Nottingham and London, and the government says those events have helped more than 1,000 young people into jobs, work experience or training.

The Youth Guarantee promises that every young person under 25 will be offered one of a set of pathways: a job, continued education, an apprenticeship, or a traineeship, work experience placement or a sector-based work academy place. It is backed by a £2.5 billion youth employment package, which the government says will support almost one million young people and create 500,000 opportunities.

What it could mean for Birmingham

Birmingham is one of the youngest cities in Europe, so the Youth Guarantee matters here. With fairs already held in several major cities, young people in Birmingham will be hoping for an event closer to home.

In the meantime, the government's youth employment support is available through Jobcentres, where under-25s can ask about apprenticeships, training and work placements under the Youth Guarantee.