A new West London initiative aimed at helping to get more young people into work, education and training was launched at Ealing Council’s headquarters, Perceval House, on Wednesday (8 July 2026), amid growing concern over rising youth unemployment.
The West London Youth Employment Roadmap, developed by Youth Careers Collective, West London Business, the West London Alliance and the West London Careers Hub, sets out actions for employers, education providers, councils and voluntary organisations to work together to reduce youth unemployment. It aims to improve access to jobs and training for young people while encouraging organisations to work more closely together and better support those facing barriers to employment.
The roadmap follows the publication of an interim review by Alan Milburn into young people and work. More than one million young people across the UK are now classed as not in education, employment or training (NEET), including an estimated 135,000 in London.
The West London Alliance brings together the councils of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow to work on shared priorities including employment, skills and economic growth.
Opening the launch event, Councillor Kamaljit Kaur Nagpal, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “We owe a shared duty to young people to help them shape a successful and fulfilling future. Working across partners and sectors throughout West London and beyond, as set out in the Roadmap, will be crucial to achieving this.”
Councillor Nagpal said the council’s recently launched Ealing Borough Apprenticeship Service would also help local businesses recruit apprentices.
Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, said: “By bringing together employers, educators, councils and communities, the West London Youth Employment Roadmap will help create more opportunities for young people across West London and the capital. This support City Halls’ work to connect Londoners with the skills, training and support they need to fulfil their potential- such as our Get Britain Working Trailblazers and the London Careers Programme.
“Together, we can turn the tide on youth unemployment and build an inclusive talent system where every young Londoner has the chance to succeed.”
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