New Briefing Paper for Local Authorities

Creating Workplaces, Not Unemployment Programmes

Youth unemployment continues to rise across many parts of the UK. At the same time, local authorities, colleges, employers and community organisations face increasing pressure to support young people, reduce economic inactivity and help communities adapt to rapid technological change.

We believe it is time for a different conversation.
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This briefing paper explores a practical community-based approach that views unemployed people not as a cost to be managed, but as a valuable resource that can help create opportunities, strengthen communities and generate economic value.

Drawing on over 30 years of experience in employment, skills, workforce development and social inclusion, the paper introduces the Work It Out model and outlines a proposed nationwide pilot across 20 local authority areas.

The report challenges some of the traditional assumptions surrounding unemployment and explores new possibilities around AI, community value creation, collaboration, peer support and local action. It asks a simple but important question:

What if we stopped creating unemployment programmes and started creating workplaces instead?
Please download, circulate and discuss this paper with colleagues across your organisation. We welcome conversations with local authorities, colleges, combined authorities, government agencies and community partners interested in exploring the pilot further.

​Together we can explore practical ways to reduce welfare dependency, increase participation, strengthen local communities and help more people build sustainable futures.

The Work it Out Nationwide Pilot 2026   - Summary​


​A Practical Community-Based Approach to Youth Unemployment, Economic Inactivity and Workforce Transition
 
Purpose - We plan to deliver  a structured community-based approach to help more people move into employment, training, enterprise, income generation and meaningful participation whilst strengthening local communities at the same time.

Pilot Structure – Twenty Work it Out pilots will be delivered through local authorities, educational institutions, employers and community organisations. Each area will allocate and support two local Work It Out Facilitators who will establish and support a local Work It Out community.

Joined-up support - All Facilitators across the UK will participate in a twelve-month national learning process,  working together to enable all pilot areas to share learning, exchange good practice and continuously improve outcomes.

The Work It Out Process - Participants will undertake an initial six-week development programme focused on: Building confidence and motivation / Identifying strengths, interests and opportunities / Creating practical workpieces and projects / Developing supportive relationships / Exploring employment, enterprise and income opportunities / Using AI and technology positively / Contributing to their local community. Following the initial development process, participants will continue as members of an ongoing local Work It Out community.

Potential Pilot Partners include - Local Authorities, Combined Authorities and Mayoral Regions, Further Education Colleges, Community and Voluntary Organisations, and all those with a real desire to address Youth Unemployment.

Indicative Outcomes - The pilot can measure employment outcomes, progression into training and education, enterprise and income generation activity, confidence and wellbeing, community participation, social connectedness, retention and engagement, and development of local support networks.

Why This Approach Is Different - Work It Out is based on a simple belief: People are far more likely to succeed when they work together than when they work alone.  We have learnt this  over the last 20 years of delivering Work it Out Training.   You see, rather than focusing solely on individuals, Work It Out creates communities of encouragement, opportunity and mutual support where participants help one another move forward.

Why It Can Be Implemented Quickly - The approach does not require the creation of new infrastructure. It can be delivered through existing staff members, facilities and community networks. Training, support materials and facilitator development will be provided centrally, allowing local areas to focus on delivery and outcomes.​.

Management, Support and Cost -   Work it Out will provide certified training plus ongoing development and support for all  Area Teams and Facilitators for the complete 12-month period.   The cost  is £10,000  per Facilitator (£20,000 per  area).

Next Step - We are currently holding provisional places for some Local Authorities, Colleges and Community partnerships as they finalise funding over the next 8 weeks. If you would like your Area to be considered as one of the 20 locations for the Work It Out nationwide pilot, please get in touch. We will agree all Partners by the end of July and begin on Wednesday, 26th August 2026. Thank you!

Feedback from Our Local Partners

• “Work it Out strengthens our local employability partnership between the Council, College, Community organisations and Employers.”

• “It integrates neatly with our new Future Work ecosystem. We’re creating roles to connect the Council, Employers, and the College. Work It Out feels like the glue that brings it all together.”

• “Work It Out fits perfectly with the Youth Guarantee and our skills agenda.”

• “The idea of creating meaningful workpieces that young people care about, rather than just competing for jobs, is so simple and motivating. It builds confidence, teamwork, and momentum.”

• "Work it Out offers a 'non-institutional' environment. It aligns perfectly with our vision of helping young people build their futures in a flexible way with college, work and self-employment.” 

• “The combination of enterprise, community, collaboration, and kindness creates a genuinely empowering, human-centred approach. It feels like more than a programme. As you say, it’s a different way of working together.”

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​• “We see Work It Out as the core methodology that can develop our teams and help us build a sustainable local community. Having those skills within our staff is exactly what we want.”

​• “It’s great to see AI being used as a positive tool for entrepreneurship, career development and creating future opportunities.”

• “Moving from often disconnected employment initiatives to a more structured, people-centred approach that responds to local needs is a huge step forward.”

• “This is a tried-and-tested model which gives confidence to funders. Because it’s proven, there’s far less resistance when it comes to securing support.”

• “Having previously run enterprise projects in schools, it’s great to see many of those successful principles brought together in Work It Out.”

• “The collaboration between the 20 pilot areas is a brilliant feature! We can learn from each other, share ideas, solve challenges together, and make sure every area succeeds.”
​What Is Work It Out?

Work It Out is a practical, people-centred approach to helping individuals build their future in a rapidly changing world.  Rather than focusing solely on finding jobs, Work It Out helps people identify their strengths, build supportive relationships, create meaningful workpieces, develop confidence, generate income, explore opportunities and contribute positively to their communities.
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At its heart, the model is based on kindness, encouragement, collaboration and shared responsibility. Nobody is expected to struggle alone. Participants work together in small groups, helping one another identify opportunities, overcome barriers, build confidence and take practical action.  
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The aim is not simply to help people find work. The aim is to help people build sustainable futures.
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