Thousands of unemployed young people in Manchester to be supported by news skills and training programme

Entitled Factory Futures, after the city’s in-progress arts space The Factory, the scheme responds directly to the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on youth unemployment.

Statistics from the UK Parliament reveal that from May to July 2020, 563,000 young people aged 16-24 were unemployed, an increase of 36,000 from the previous quarter, while in August 2020, 526,000 people aged 16-24 claimed unemployment related benefits, an increase of 124% from March 2020. 

It is hoped that over the next five years, Factory Futures will see 1,400 young people aged 19-24, who are unemployed or on Universal Credit, take part in a range of pre-employment training programmes, including training academies, work experience programmes, traineeships and paid internships. Online learning, masterclasses, open days and workshops will also aim to benefit thousands more young people.