Worcester Youth Hub Launched at The Hive

The Youth Hub is a partnership with Worcestershire County Council, The Department of Work and Pensions and The Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Hub is aimed at 15 to 24 year-olds and will provide a one stop shop to support young people in finding the right career path; providing 1 to 1 advice with a dedicated advisor, employability workshops and training. 

The Primary Hub will operate out of the Hive in Worcester with a plan to pop up in additional areas throughout the county. 

Worcestershire County Council’s Skills and Investment Group Manager, Judith Gibbs, and Strategic Director of People, Mark Fitton, gave short speeches before officially opening the Hub alongside current Council chairman Chris Rogers.

Mark Fitton, Strategic Director of People at Worcestershire County Council, said, “The launch of the Youth Hub at the Hive marks the beginning of a more joined up offer for young people and Careers Worcestershire. 

The launch stems from the impact of the pandemic on young people in Worcestershire, at the height of the pandemic, the number of young people claiming benefits rose to almost 10% of that population and still remain higher than they were pre-pandemic. One of our corporate plan pillars is to address the health and wellbeing of our population here in the county, and that includes employment needs.”

Judy Gibbs, Worcestershire LEP Director of Skills, said, “The launch of the Youth Hub is a really momentous occasion, we’ve worked really hard to get to this point. We met with the DWP in Winter last year to try and create a facility that will enhance the support available to young people looking for employment or the next step in their career, and the Youth Hub was created, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the difference it makes to the county’s young people.”