Government has confirmed 300,000 new work experience placements are being created in key sectors, including construction.

The new placements, part of a £2.5bn youth employment support package, will see young people gain hands-on experience, build real skills and move into sustained work.

Key sectors are being targeted including construction, health and social care and hospitality.

They news comes as the government accelerates its Youth Guarantee to give every young person the chance to earn or learn and reverse the rising numbers not in education, employment, or training (NEET) - currently standing at around a million.  

The 300,000 placements will be made up of work experience and Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs).

SWAPs are short government-funded programmes for jobseekers claiming benefits, offering training, hands-on experience of the workplace and a guaranteed job interview.

Major employers including Manchester Airport Group, JD and Gatwick Airport are already backing SWAPs, with the construction industry leading the way. Construction SWAPs broke records in 2025/26, with almost 17,000 starts.