Youth Progression Coach

As an Employment Youth Progression Coach, you will play a key role in helping young people build the confidence, skills and resilience they need to progress towards employment, education or training. You will deliver high-impact, engaging group learning alongside tailored one-to-one support, helping participants develop practical life and workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, digital skills, workplace behaviours, job search and interview preparation.
Working as part of a wider team, you will collaborate closely with Employer Partnership Managers, employers and local support services to create a joined-up journey for each participant. This will include preparing young people for and supporting their participation in employer-led sector tasters, while helping them access additional learning, wellbeing and specialist support where required.
A key part of the role will be supporting young people who may be experiencing childcare or caring responsibilities, low confidence, wellbeing challenges or other barriers associated with youth unemployment, helping them identify practical solutions and take positive steps towards their future.

Key Responsibilities

• Group Learning Delivery: Design and facilitate engaging, interactive group sessions that build practical life, workplace and employability skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, resilience, digital skills and workplace behaviours.
• One-to-One Support: Provide tailored one-to-one coaching and guidance, helping young people understand their strengths, identify goals, overcome barriers and develop realistic progression plans.
• Youth Employability: Support young people to understand the world of work, develop confidence and workplace readiness, and build the skills and behaviours needed to secure and sustain employment.
• Job Search & Career Skills: Deliver learning around CVs, applications, job search, interview preparation, transferable skills and understanding employer expectations.
• Sector Tasters: Work closely with Employer Partnership Managers to prepare participants for employer-led sector tasters, helping young people explore different industries, job roles and career pathways through meaningful exposure to local employers.
• Employer Collaboration: Work alongside Employer Partnership Managers and employers to ensure learning reflects current local labour market needs and provides participants with relevant insight into workplace expectations and opportunities.
• Wellbeing & Caring Responsibilities: Deliver appropriate wellbeing interventions and practical support for participants whose progression may be affected by childcare or caring responsibilities, confidence, wellbeing or other personal circumstances.
• Local Support & Referrals: Identify additional learning, skills, wellbeing and support needs and work with Employer Partnership Managers to connect participants with appropriate local services, community organisations, learning providers and specialist support.
• Participant Progression: Monitor engagement and progress, provide feedback and adapt learning or support to ensure each participant receives the right intervention at the right time.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with Employer Partnership Managers, colleagues, employers, Jobcentre Plus, training providers, community organisations and other partners to provide holistic, person-centred support.
• Resources: Develop and maintain engaging learning materials, guides, handouts and other resources that support young people’s personal development, employability and progression.
• Records & Outcomes: Maintain accurate records of participant engagement, learning activity, referrals and progression, contributing to programme performance, quality standards and contractual outcomes.
• Continuous Improvement: Gather and respond to participant and employer feedback, contributing to the continuous improvement of the service.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications and Specific Training - 

• Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) or equivalent teaching/training qualification (Essential)
• GCSE Maths/English or equivalent (Essential)
• IT qualification and/or equivalent experience (Essential)
• Experience working within youth employment, employability, welfare-to-work, education, skills, careers or community programmes.
• Experience supporting young people with childcare or caring responsibilities, wellbeing needs or other barriers to employment.

Skills - 

• Experience delivering engaging group learning, workshops or training to participants with different abilities, confidence levels and support needs. (Essential)
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to engage, motivate and build confidence within a group setting. (Essential)
• Experience supporting young people, particularly those who are unemployed or at risk of becoming NEET, through employability, learning, coaching, youth work or similar interventions. (Essential)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to provide empathetic, practical and strengths-based one-to-one support. (Essential)
• Experience helping people develop employability, workplace or life skills and overcome barriers to employment, education or training. (Essential)
• Understanding of the challenges young people can face when entering the labour market, including limited work experience, confidence, skills gaps, caring responsibilities and wellbeing barriers. (Essential)
• Ability to build positive relationships with young people and work collaboratively with Employer Partnership Managers, employers and external support services. (Essential)
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to plan and deliver group sessions, manage individual support and maintain accurate records. (Essential)
• Passionate about helping young people overcome barriers and reach their potential, with a genuine commitment to tackling youth unemployment. (Essential)
• Empathetic, patient and approachable, with a flexible and inclusive approach to supporting young people from diverse backgrounds. (Essential)
• Results-driven, with a focus on helping participants achieve positive progression and employment outcomes. (Essential)
• Adaptable and flexible, able to respond effectively to changing participant needs and programme requirements. (Essential)

Knowledge - 

• Understanding of barriers facing unemployed young people (Essential)
• Knowledge of employability, job search and interview preparation (Essential)
• Understanding of safeguarding and participant wellbeing (Essential)
• Knowledge of local education, training and employment pathways (Essential)
• Knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion principles (Essential)
• Knowledge of Youth Guarantee objectives and delivery models (Desirable)
• Understanding of labour market intelligence and growth sectors (Desirable)
• Knowledge of apprenticeships and vocational training routes (Desirable)
• Understanding of local support services and community provision (Desirable)
• Knowledge of funded employment and skills programmes (Desirable)

Experience - 

• Experience supporting young people into employment, education or training (Essential)
• Experience delivering group workshops, learning sessions or employability activities (Essential)
• Experience providing one-to-one coaching, mentoring or guidance (Essential)