Northampton Saints Foundation is expanding its Employability and Skills programmes across Northamptonshire and is calling on local employers to work with the charity to help young people overcome barriers to education and employment.
Working alongside local colleges, councils, employers and prisons, the Foundation is supporting individuals aged 16 to 24 and those preparing for the transition to the working world to gain the skills, qualifications and confidence needed to move into work, apprenticeships or further education.
The initiative responds to the growing number of young people across the UK, which numbers almost one million, who are currently classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and aims to create clearer pathways into the workforce while strengthening local communities.
Northampton Saints Foundation’s Employability and Skills programmes are designed to address this challenge directly by helping individuals develop the personal and professional behaviours employers value most.
While qualifications remain important, employers increasingly emphasise core employability skills such as teamwork, communication, punctuality and problem solving. Through practical workshops, employer-led sessions and real-world experiences, participants develop these essential skills while also building confidence, resilience and a clearer sense of direction for their future.
A key part of the programme is connecting participants with professionals from a wide range of industries. Employer partners deliver workshops, career insight sessions and practical activities that help demystify the workplace and introduce participants to different career pathways.
The Foundation’s employability provision works closely with partners including Northampton College, Tresham College and West Northamptonshire Council to deliver programmes for young people aged 16 to 19 who may have become disengaged from traditional education. Participants work towards accredited qualifications while studying core subjects such as Maths and English, alongside gaining work experience and taking part in enrichment activities that support their personal development.
Employer engagement plays a growing role in this work with organisations such as Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, Ironstone Wellbeing and Colonial Construction supporting the programmes through industry-led workshops and career insight sessions, helping participants understand how their learning connects to real career opportunities.
Alongside its youth provision, the department also supports rehabilitation and employability within the prison system through its Saints Inside initiative.
Delivered in partnership with HMP Highpoint, a 12-week transition programme has been running for four years and has supported over 150 men preparing for release. The programme has achieved a reoffending rate of just seven per cent among those who complete it, reflecting the strength of its personalised, small-group approach.
Building on this success, the Foundation is now delivering its first dedicated employability programme at HMP Highpoint, supporting 50 men to develop job-readiness skills before returning to the community. A new partnership with HMP Dovegate is also addressing literacy barriers by delivering bespoke reading and writing programmes to help individuals re-engage with education and employment pathways.
As an impact-driven charity, Northampton Saints Foundation continues to work alongside government initiatives and employer partners to tackle local and national skills gaps. By supporting individuals who face barriers to education and employment, the Foundation aims to reduce the number of people who are not in education, employment or training while creating stronger communities and brighter futures.
Businesses interested in supporting the programmes are encouraged to get involved by sharing industry knowledge, delivering workshops and helping inspire the next generation of the workforce.
To find out more email employability@northamptonsaintsfoundation.org or visit our website here.
