Newport employers and local organisations join forces to create pathways into work for young people
Newport is the latest Homewards location to launch the New Employment Opportunities Network (NEON), bringing together businesses, public services and community organisations to help more young people access and sustain employment.
Focused on young people aged 16 to 24 who face barriers to work and are at risk of homelessness, NEON Newport aims to connect them with opportunities, practical support and local employers who are ready to invest in their potential.
The programme will also help businesses access talent they might otherwise miss, while supporting workforce retention and strengthening connections with their local communities.
Having a job can play an important role in helping young people build stable and independent futures. However, challenges such as housing insecurity, transport costs, caring responsibilities and limited work experience can make it harder to find, keep and progress in work.
Through NEON, employers will be able to connect more easily with organisations offering specialist advice and practical support. This means young people can receive help both before they start a role and once they are in work, while employers have a clearer route to the support available locally.
To mark the launch, Homewards brought together organisations from across Newport for an employability workshop. The session explored the support already available in the city, identified opportunities for closer collaboration and highlighted where further action could have the greatest impact.
Partners looked at the different stages of a young person’s journey into employment, from skills development and training through to recruitment and ongoing support at work. The discussion will help shape how NEON Newport works with employers, local organisations and young people in the months ahead.
Terry Edgell, Chair of NEON Newport, said:
“It is a huge honour to be invited to Chair Homewards’ NEON programme in Newport. I have always believed that businesses have a responsibility to give back to their local communities. Giving vulnerable young people a path to employment and a more secure future is a truly meaningful contribution, and I very much look forward to getting more local businesses in Newport on board with the initiative.”
The launch marks the start of a new partnership between businesses, employability organisations and local leaders across Newport. By sharing expertise and working together, they will help more young people build brighter futures while supporting local employers to attract and retain talent and prevent homelessness.
