York is set to embark on a transformative journey with the launch of its £1 million Inactivity Trailblazer program, a significant initiative designed to invigorate the local job market. This ambitious project primarily targets individuals facing significant barriers to employment, including those with mental health challenges, disabilities, military veterans, and early retirees, aiming to foster greater economic participation across the city.
Under the comprehensive scheme, a diverse range of targeted interventions will be implemented to equip residents with essential skills and support. Proposed plans include bespoke archaeology and construction training programmes, crucial workplace health checks, and dedicated pathways to transition young people into either meaningful employment or further educational opportunities, ensuring a holistic approach to skill development.
Cllr Pete Kilbane, York Council’s Labour deputy leader and economy spokesperson, hailed the initiative as a bold strategic move to uncover untapped potential within the community. He articulated the council’s commitment to ensuring no resident is left behind in the pursuit of secure and fulfilling employment, emphasizing the project’s role in unlocking hidden talent.
However, the project has not been without its critics. Prominent disability rights activist Flick Williams expressed reservations, suggesting that while the program aims to dismantle barriers to employment, it may fall short of addressing a more fundamental issue: the prevailing reluctance of some employers to integrate individuals with health conditions or disabilities into their workforces, highlighting a systemic challenge.
This substantial funding for York is part of a broader £10 million allocation provided by the Government to the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, designated for pioneering trials to combat long-term joblessness. The initiative aligns with wider government welfare reforms, unveiled in November, which have notably seen a significant increase in economic inactivity due to long-term sickness in the York and North Yorkshire region since 2019.
Detailed plans for York’s specific share of the regional Trailblazer funding, amounting to £1,038,250, outline several key investments. This includes allocating £120,000 for two new Opportunities Brokers, pivotal roles designed to directly assist individuals in navigating and overcoming personal obstacles hindering their path to employment and fostering successful workforce reintegration.
Further investments include £175,000 for Supported Pathways, a program facilitating entry into work or enhancing wellbeing through initiatives such as the local Archaeology on Prescription and vital construction skills training. Tailored support for young carers will receive £18,750, while £37,500 is earmarked for helping 16 to 25-year-olds with social, emotional, or mental health needs transition into work, learning, or training, addressing critical gaps in support.
Additionally, £62,500 will fund a program encouraging early retirees or those considering pre-pension age departure back into vacant roles within the council, further education, and other sectors. Boosting access to jobs for veterans is backed by £18,750, and a substantial £250,000 will establish Mental Health hubs and talking therapy services to provide comprehensive support for individuals with severe mental health issues, reinforcing the focus on mental health & work.
Despite the comprehensive nature of these proposed interventions, Ms. Williams’s critique underscores the complexity of achieving genuine inclusivity. She emphasized that logistical hurdles like inaccessible transport, inadequate housing, and challenges in obtaining mobility aids often compound the difficulties faced by disabled individuals and carers, questioning the sufficiency of the current approach without addressing wider societal and employer-led barriers to disability employment.
