84
Training
Support for Youth Employment- What this means for BMF Members
IN the last issue of One Voice, we looked at the apprenticeship reforms the Government is introducing in England. There is little doubt that policymakers are trying to reshape the economics of employing young people in an effort to tackle the UK’ s youth employment challenge.
Current data highlights:
• 957,000 young people aged 16 to 24 are currently NEET( Not in Education, Employment or Training).
• Roughly one in eight young people in the UK are economically inactive.
• Youth apprenticeship starts have declined significantly over the past decade.
• Government policy is increasingly focused on youth employment, early careers and entry-level workforce development.
For employers willing to recruit younger talent, there is potential access to:
• Direct recruitment grants.
• Wage subsidies.
• Fully funded apprenticeship training.
• National Insurance savings.
• Reduced apprenticeship costs.
However, funding rules are becoming more restrictive for higher-level apprenticeships and levy-funded workforce development, as highlighted in the last issue of One Voice.
The Youth Guarantee: A New Route to Talent for Builders’ Merchants?
The building materials sector has long faced recruitment challenges. From branch operations and logistics to sales, management and technical roles, many businesses continue to compete for a limited pool of skilled workers.
The Government’ s Youth Guarantee has been designed to address this by ensuring all 18 to 21-year-olds can access education, training, apprenticeships or meaningful pathways into employment. For builders’ merchants, the initiative could help strengthen recruitment pipelines while promoting the sector as an attractive longterm career destination.
A Sector in Need of New Entrants
The building materials sector plays a critical role in supporting housebuilding, infrastructure investment and the wider construction sector. Yet many businesses still struggle to attract young people into the industry.
This issue is already being addressed through the BMF’ s BMCareers programme( www. bmcareers. com), which has identified a lack of awareness as a key barrier. While careers in the construction trades are relatively well known, fewer young people appreciate the opportunities available within merchanting.
84
Sales, procurement, digital commerce, supply chain management, transport, sustainability, marketing and branch leadership all offer rewarding career paths, but many remain below the radar of school leavers and jobseekers.
By increasing access to work experience, apprenticeships, careers guidance and employer engagement, the programme aims to introduce more young people to careers they may not have previously considered.
What the Youth Guarantee Means for Employers
The Government’ s vision is that no young person should be left without access to learning, training or work opportunities.
Key elements include:
• Increased work experience opportunities.
• Enhanced careers support and coaching.
• Expanded apprenticeship pathways.
• Local Youth Hubs offering employment support.
• Greater employer involvement in helping young people move into work.
For the building materials sector, the practical benefits could include:
Access to a Broader Talent Pool
Many merchants already recruit successfully through apprenticeships, trainee schemes and entry-level branch roles. The Youth Guarantee could widen access to young people who may not engage through traditional recruitment channels.
Reducing Recruitment Pressures
As experienced employees retire, businesses need new talent entering the sector. Creating clear pathways for younger workers can help build workforce resilience and reduce reliance on an increasingly competitive labour market.
Developing Future Leaders
Today’ s branch apprentice could become tomorrow’ s branch manager or commercial leader. Early engagement allows businesses to develop skills, behaviours and company culture from the outset.
Strengthening Local Communities
Builders’ merchants are deeply embedded in their communities. Supporting young people into employment aligns with the industry’ s longstanding commitment to social value and community engagement.
Making Building Materials Attractive
The success of the Youth Guarantee will not depend solely on government funding or policy. Employers also have an important role to play.
Young people increasingly look for careers that provide:
• Clear progression opportunities.
• Structured training.
• Purpose and meaningful work.
• Flexibility and wellbeing support.
• Opportunities to develop transferable skills.
The building materials sector is well placed to offer many of these benefits. It combines customer interaction, commercial decisionmaking, technical knowledge and practical problem-solving in a way that few industries can match.
The challenge is ensuring that young people hear that message.
Businesses that engage with schools, colleges, careers events and youth employment programmes are likely to be well positioned to benefit as the Youth Guarantee expands nationally.
Building a Sustainable Talent Pipeline
For BMF members, the Youth Guarantee should hopefully prove to be more than just a short-term recruitment initiative. It presents an opportunity to strengthen the long-term health of the workforce.
Future growth will depend on attracting diverse talent, developing clear career pathways and providing opportunities for people who may never have considered a career in merchanting.
The Youth Guarantee represents one of the most ambitious youth employment programmes in recent years. While details will continue to evolve as regional programmes are evaluated, its objective is clear: ensuring every young person has a route into productive employment, training or education.
By opening their doors to young people, offering meaningful work experience and supporting structured career development, BMF members can help the initiative succeed while strengthening their own businesses for the future.
Six Actions for BMF Members
• Engage with the BMF’ s BMCareers programme.
• Review apprenticeship opportunities within your business.
• Engage with local schools and colleges.
• Offer structured work experience placements.
• Connect with local Youth Hubs and employment programmes.
• Promote merchanting as a long-term career, not just a first job.
The Youth Guarantee is already moving from policy to practice through regional trailblazer programmes and will be progressively rolled out from 2026 to 2028.
For more information, visit www. business. gov. uk / recruit.