(NEWS) BERLIN, Germany, 2026-Mar-25 — /Travel PR News/ — Efforts to address youth unemployment in parts of the UK are gaining renewed attention as the TUI Care Foundation launches a new apprenticeship-focused programme aimed at connecting jobseekers with small businesses in need of support.
Announced on 25 March, the initiative — known as the TUI Academy UK — is being developed in partnership with TUI Group, Luton Borough Council, and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. It is designed to create more accessible pathways into employment for young people while helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) overcome the financial barriers associated with hiring apprentices.
The programme comes at a time when rising levels of unemployment and a growing number of individuals classified as NEET — not in education, employment or training — continue to present challenges across the UK labour market. Apprenticeships are widely viewed as an effective route into long-term employment, but many smaller businesses have struggled to participate due to wage pressures and broader economic uncertainty.
According to details shared by the foundation, the new model combines public funding and private sector support to make apprenticeship recruitment more viable. Local authorities will contribute 50% of an apprentice’s wages, with employers covering the remainder, while training costs are funded through TUI’s Apprenticeship Levy. Additional financial support from the foundation is intended to further ease the burden on SMEs, and employers may also be eligible for a £3,000 youth employment grant in certain cases.
The TUI Academy UK aims to support 60 unemployed young people in its initial phase. Participants will undertake a nine-month Level 2 Customer Service apprenticeship, with placements across sectors such as retail, hospitality, and tourism. Recruitment will be carried out through the Sector Work Academy Programme, which is designed to prepare candidates with core employability skills before entering the workplace.
The initiative also places a strong emphasis on inclusivity. Target groups include long-term unemployed individuals, young adults not currently in education or training, as well as those facing additional barriers to employment, including people with disabilities, neurodiverse individuals, and those with previous convictions.
Outreach and candidate identification will be supported by organisations including the YMCA, Shaw Trust, Working Chance, and the Department for Work and Pensions. Participants will also have access to additional support services such as mentoring, peer networks, and training in English and mathematics.
Regional partners involved in the programme have highlighted its potential to contribute to local economic development, particularly in areas with strong tourism potential but higher-than-average unemployment rates. The initiative also aligns with broader efforts to upskill local workforces and create more sustainable employment opportunities.
The TUI Care Foundation has indicated that the programme is intended to serve as a scalable model, with the potential to expand to other regions if successful. By combining funding mechanisms with structured training and employer support, the initiative aims to address both workforce shortages and barriers to entry for young jobseekers.
