Birmingham’s Youth Employment ‘Perfect Storm’: How 18–24s Can Still Build a Career in 2026

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September 14, 2026

On September 14, 2026

Young people in Birmingham face a difficult first step into work.

The University of Birmingham’s Inspiring Futures report, published in July 2026, describes a “perfect storm” in youth employment. Entry-level jobs have declined, access to work experience has reduced, and employers are asking for new technical and digital skills.

This does not mean there are no opportunities.

It means young people need clear guidance, practical training and direct support to become work-ready.

For NEET individuals : people not in education, employment or training : the first priority is to build a realistic route into work. That route may include Functional Skills, vocational training, work experience, an employability programme or a paid employment scheme.

Zems Academy helps learners take those steps.

Birmingham’s youth employment challenge

The University of Birmingham’s report states that “starter jobs” have fallen by 49% over the past decade.

These are the jobs that often provide a first opportunity to gain workplace experience. They help young people build confidence, learn workplace routines and develop a record of employment.

At the same time:

Work experience is less available and less consistent.
Careers guidance can be fragmented.
Employers require stronger communication and problem-solving skills.
Technology and artificial intelligence are changing job requirements.
Young people without qualifications, experience or professional networks face greater barriers.

The report makes an important point: the problem is structural. It is not simply a lack of ambition among young people.

The solution is better coordination between education providers, employers, local authorities and training organisations.

The latest NEET figures

Data reported by Birmingham Live on 5 September 2026 shows that around 6.9% of 16–17-year-olds in the West Midlands Combined Authority area were NEET or had an unknown activity status in 2025.

The England average was 5.6%.

“Unknown” means that the young person’s current education, employment or training status could not be confirmed. It does not necessarily mean that every individual is NEET, but it does show that some young people are not being successfully tracked or connected to support.

Early intervention matters.

Young people who become disconnected from education and work can find it harder to gain qualifications, build confidence and compete for entry-level vacancies later.

Birmingham youth employment: the key numbers

Where the new opportunities are

The West Midlands is also investing in sectors that need more workers.

£75 million construction skills package

The West Midlands Combined Authority has announced a £75 million construction skills package designed to train more than 12,000 workers over three years.

The investment responds to demand linked to:

New homes.
Transport infrastructure.
Retrofit projects.
Regeneration.
Engineering and technical work.
Commercial and public construction.

Training is expected to support routes into roles such as:

Bricklaying.
Carpentry.
Plastering.
Painting and decorating.
Plumbing.
Electrical work.
Engineering.
Design.
Surveying.
Site support and safety roles.

Not every learner will begin with a trade qualification.

Many people start with basic health and safety training, site preparation, traffic marshal training or a CSCS-related pathway. These first qualifications can help learners understand the sector and apply for suitable entry-level roles.

Zems Academy provides construction and health and safety training, including a Level 2 Banksman and Traffic Marshal course.

The Banksman course is designed for people who direct vehicle movements around a site. It can support work in construction, manufacturing, security, hospitality, parking enforcement and other operational environments.

The Birmingham and Solihull Jobs Guarantee

The Jobs Guarantee provides another route for some young people who have been out of work for a longer period.

The Birmingham and Solihull Phase One scheme is aimed at eligible 18–21-year-olds who:

Live in Birmingham or Solihull.
Receive Universal Credit.
Have been looking for work for 18 continuous months.
Have limited recent employment history.
Have the right to work in the UK.
Are referred through the Department for Work and Pensions process.

The scheme offers:

A six-month paid job.
Up to 25 paid hours per week.
Pay at the relevant minimum wage.
Pre-employment and in-work support.
Help to move into sustained employment after the placement.

The Birmingham and Solihull Phase One area is expected to receive around 275 referrals.

Eligibility and availability can change. If you think you may qualify, speak to your Jobcentre Plus Work Coach and ask about Jobs Guarantee referrals.

Training can help you prepare before referral, during job matching and after starting work.

How Zems Academy helps NEET individuals become work-ready

Zems Academy delivers employability programmes that combine practical training with direct support.

The aim is simple:

Build skills. Prepare for work. Support progression.

Functional Skills in English and Maths

English and Maths are required for many jobs, apprenticeships and further training routes.

Functional Skills can help you:

Complete workplace forms.
Follow written instructions.
Communicate with customers and colleagues.
Read safety information.
Calculate quantities, timings and measurements.
Complete applications and assessments.

Zems Academy can help learners identify the right level and build the confidence needed for work and further study.

CV and interview preparation

A qualification is important, but you must also present your skills clearly.

Zems Academy’s employability support can include:

CV development.
Application support.
Interview preparation.
Workplace communication.
Confidence building.
Understanding employer expectations.
Preparation for the first day at work.

You should be able to explain what you have learned, what you can do and what type of work you want.

Vocational pathways

Different learners need different starting points.

Zems Academy provides vocational pathways in areas including:

Security, including Door Supervisor and CCTV training.
Construction, including health and safety and traffic marshal training.
Hospitality, including food safety, cleaning, customer service and support skills.
Warehousing and logistics, including entry-level operational preparation.

For learners interested in security, the Level 2 Door Supervisor course includes training in private security principles, conflict management and physical intervention skills.

For construction learners, the CSCS card package with Level 1 Health and Safety in Construction provides a recognised starting point for those preparing to enter site-based work.

Explore the full range of Zems Academy training courses.

A five-step action plan for young people aged 18–24

1. Check your current position

Write down your current qualifications, work experience, skills and barriers.

Be clear about what is stopping you from progressing.

This may include low confidence, transport, limited experience, low English or Maths skills, caring responsibilities or uncertainty about which career to choose.

Take action: Speak to your Jobcentre Plus Work Coach, local authority, college or training provider.

2. Choose one realistic employment route

Do not try to apply for every type of job.

Choose one or two sectors that match your interests and local demand.

Good starting points may include security, construction, hospitality, warehousing, customer service or site support.

Take action: Compare the entry requirements for your chosen sector.

3. Complete the essential training

Build the qualifications employers expect.

This may include:

Functional Skills English or Maths.
Health and safety.
Food safety.
First aid.
Security training.
Traffic marshal training.
Manual handling.
Customer service.

Take action: View Zems Academy courses and ask which pathway fits your goal.

4. Prepare your evidence

Update your CV and prepare examples of your skills.

Include training, volunteering, college projects, unpaid experience and practical responsibilities.

Employers need evidence that you can attend on time, follow instructions, communicate clearly and work safely.

Take action: Practise answers to common interview questions and prepare a short introduction about yourself.

5. Apply for support and keep moving

Do not wait for the perfect vacancy.

Apply for training, work experience, apprenticeships, Jobs Guarantee opportunities and entry-level roles.

If an application is unsuccessful, ask what you can improve.

Take action: Set a weekly target for applications, training enquiries and employer contacts.

Start your employment pathway now

Birmingham’s youth employment challenge is serious, but it is not permanent or impossible to overcome.

The region needs skilled workers.

The £75 million construction skills package is creating more training capacity. The Jobs Guarantee is providing paid employment routes for eligible young people. Employers across security, construction, hospitality and logistics continue to need reliable, trained staff.

You do not need to have everything in place before you start.

Begin with one step:

Improve your English or Maths.
Enrol on a vocational course.
Build your CV.
Practise an interview.
Ask about employability programmes.
Speak to your Work Coach.
Contact Zems Academy.

Are you a NEET individual aged 18–24 in Birmingham or the wider West Midlands? Contact Zems Academy to discuss Functional Skills, employability support and vocational training routes into work.