The Jobs Guarantee Is Live in Birmingham: 5 Ways 18–24s Can Turn 25 Paid Hours Into a Real Career
The Jobs Guarantee is now live in Birmingham and Solihull.
The scheme launched in spring 2026 and is designed to help young people move from long-term unemployment into paid work, practical experience and sustained employment.
Delivered locally by Catch22, the Birmingham and Solihull programme aims to support 275 young people through six-month paid work placements.
Participants work for up to 25 hours per week and receive at least the relevant National Minimum Wage.
This is more than a short-term opportunity.
Used correctly, six months of paid work can help you build experience, improve your CV, develop workplace skills and move into a long-term career.
WHAT IS THE BIRMINGHAM JOBS GUARANTEE?
The Jobs Guarantee is a government-funded employment programme for eligible young people.
In Phase One, it focuses mainly on people who:
- Are aged 18 to 21
- Live in Birmingham or Solihull
- Receive Universal Credit
- Have been unemployed and looking for work for at least 18 months
- Are not currently in employment
- Meet the relevant Department for Work and Pensions eligibility requirements
Where capacity allows, people aged 22 to 24 may also be considered if they meet the other requirements.
The programme is not open through direct self-referral.
If you think you may be eligible, speak to your Jobcentre Plus work coach. They will check your circumstances and make a referral where appropriate.
The scheme provides:
- A six-month paid job
- Up to 25 hours of work each week
- Pay at the relevant National Minimum Wage
- Two weeks of pre-placement preparation
- Career coaching and regular check-ins
- Mental health support
- A £300 bursary
- Support to move into sustained employment after the placement
The official Jobs Guarantee guidance provides further information about Phase One.
5 WAYS TO TURN THE PLACEMENT INTO A REAL CAREER
A six-month job can give you a strong starting point.
However, the result depends on how you use the opportunity.
1. Treat the placement as professional experience
If you have been unemployed for a long time, your first priority is to build a reliable work history.
A Jobs Guarantee role gives you the opportunity to show employers that you can:
- Attend work consistently
- Follow instructions
- Work safely
- Communicate with colleagues
- Complete tasks on time
- Respond to feedback
- Work as part of a team
These are practical employability skills.
They matter in security, construction, hospitality, warehousing, logistics and many other sectors.
Do not describe the role as “just a placement” on your CV.
Describe what you did, what you learned and what responsibilities you held.
For example:
- “Completed stock checks and recorded warehouse information accurately.”
- “Supported customers and followed workplace service procedures.”
- “Worked safely on site and followed health and safety instructions.”
- “Maintained punctual attendance during a six-month paid employment placement.”
Keep a record of your duties, achievements, training and positive feedback.
You will use this information in future applications and interviews.
2. Build skills that employers can use immediately
Employers want people who are ready to contribute.
Use the placement to develop skills that apply directly to the job you want.
These may include:
- Customer service
- Time management
- Teamwork
- Conflict management
- Manual handling
- Health and safety
- Stock control
- Digital workplace skills
- Communication
- Problem-solving
Ask your supervisor which skills are most important in your role.
Then request opportunities to practise them.
If you work in a warehouse, learn about stock systems, loading procedures and safe manual handling.
If you work in hospitality, develop food safety, cleaning, customer service and communication skills.
If you work in security, focus on observation, incident reporting, communication and professional conduct.
Every task can become evidence of your ability.
3. Connect the job to a vocational training pathway
The best employment outcomes often come from combining work experience with relevant training.
Your Jobs Guarantee role may help you identify the sector you want to enter.
You can then choose training that supports your next step.
Zems Academy provides vocational and employability training across sectors including:
- Security
- Construction
- Hospitality
- Warehousing
- Logistics
- Functional Skills English and Maths
For example, you may use your placement to:
- Move towards a Level 2 Security Officer course
- Prepare for construction work through CSCS and health and safety training
- Develop site skills through Banksman and Traffic Marshal training
- Build hospitality knowledge through food safety and customer service training
- Improve warehouse readiness through logistics and operational training
Zems Academy’s training courses can complement employability programmes by helping learners build recognised skills alongside workplace experience.
Training requirements and funding depend on your circumstances.
Speak to your work coach or contact Zems Academy to discuss the most suitable route.
4. Use every support offer available
The Jobs Guarantee includes more than wages.
Participants receive two weeks of pre-placement preparation, a £300 bursary, career coaching, regular check-ins and access to specialist mental health support.
Use the support early.
Ask for help with:
- Travel arrangements
- Work clothing or equipment
- Confidence
- Workplace communication
- Managing stress
- Preparing for difficult conversations
- Understanding your payslip
- Planning your next job
- Updating your CV
You do not need to wait until a problem becomes serious.
Tell your Career Coach or work coach if you are struggling to attend work, manage your hours or communicate with your employer.
Early support can help you remain in the role and complete the full six months.
5. Plan your next job before the placement ends
Do not wait until the final week to think about what happens next.
Start planning at least two months before the placement ends.
Ask your employer:
- Is there a permanent role available?
- What skills do I need to progress?
- Are there other vacancies within the organisation?
- Would you provide a reference?
- What training would improve my chances of being retained?
Update your CV with your new work experience.
Prepare examples that show how you handled tasks, solved problems and worked with others.
Practise interview questions with your Career Coach, Jobcentre Plus work coach or a training provider.
Zems Academy’s employability programmes can support this process through:
- CV development
- Application support
- Interview preparation
- Mock interviews
- Employer engagement
- Sector-specific vocational pathways
The target is not simply to complete six months.
The target is to move into sustained employment, an apprenticeship or further training.
A 5-STEP ACTION PLAN FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Use this action plan today.
STEP 1: Speak to your work coach
Tell your Jobcentre Plus work coach that you want to be considered for the Jobs Guarantee.
Ask them to check:
- Your age
- Your Universal Credit status
- Your unemployment period
- Your location
- Your suitability for the programme
You cannot self-refer, so this is the first step.
STEP 2: Choose a realistic career direction
Think about the type of work you want to try.
Consider:
- Security
- Construction
- Hospitality
- Warehousing
- Logistics
- Customer service
- Facilities support
You do not need to choose your lifelong career immediately.
Choose a realistic sector where you can build experience and progress.
STEP 3: Prepare your basic documents
Get ready before your referral meeting.
Prepare:
- Your current CV
- Identification documents
- Your contact details
- A list of previous experience
- Your training certificates
- Details of any support needs
- A list of preferred job sectors
If your CV is out of date, ask for help updating it.
STEP 4: Attend preparation and placement activities
Attend the two-week preparation programme.
Arrive on time.
Take part in every session.
Ask questions.
Once your placement begins, maintain regular contact with your Career Coach and employer.
Use the support available to resolve barriers quickly.
STEP 5: Start your progression plan early
After your first month, begin recording your skills and achievements.
By month four, update your CV.
By month five, apply for permanent jobs, apprenticeships or further training.
Do not leave your next step until the placement ends.
SUPPORT FOR NEET INDIVIDUALS IN BIRMINGHAM
NEET individuals: young people not in education, employment or training: may face several barriers before they are ready to enter work.
These barriers can include:
- Low confidence
- Limited work experience
- Low qualifications
- Gaps in a CV
- Poor interview skills
- Uncertainty about career options
- Travel or equipment costs
- Mental health challenges
Effective employability programmes provide structured support instead of only asking people to apply for jobs.
The Jobs Guarantee provides paid employment and wraparound support.
Zems Academy complements this approach through practical training, employability support and clear vocational pathways.
The focus is simple:
Build skills. Gain experience. Prepare for interviews. Move into sustainable employment.
INFORMATION FOR BIRMINGHAM AND SOLIHULL EMPLOYERS
The scheme also supports local employers.
Employers can receive reimbursement for eligible employment costs covering up to 25 hours per week at the relevant National Minimum Wage for six months.
This can include:
- Wages
- Employer National Insurance contributions
- Minimum employer pension contributions
- Up to £250 towards eligible onboarding costs, such as uniforms, PPE or basic equipment
Employers must provide a genuine role with meaningful work, appropriate supervision and normal employment rights.
Employers interested in taking part can register their interest through Jobs Guarantee: West Midlands.
START YOUR NEXT STEP NOW
If you are aged 18 to 24 and unemployed in Birmingham or Solihull, speak to your Jobcentre Plus work coach now.
Ask whether you may be eligible for the Jobs Guarantee.
If you need help with CV preparation, interview skills or vocational training, contact Zems Academy or view the full range of training courses.
Do not wait for the perfect opportunity.
Get prepared. Get qualified. Get workplace experience. Build your career.