David Lumb

A 19-year-old from the West Midlands secured an apprenticeship after years of unsuccessful job applications through a placement funded by the region’s Trailblazer programme. His experience reflects wider youth unemployment challenges, with more than 92,000 young people in the area not in work, education or training. The West Midlands Combined Authority reports the scheme has supported around 1,500 young people into paid work, with funding confirmed for another year.