TUI Care Foundation announced a joint initiative designed to help tackle rising unemployment and support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK by creating accessible pathways into sustainable employment.

With UK unemployment and NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) levels highlighting the growing need for inclusive routes into work, apprenticeships offer a proven solution for young people seeking long-term careers. Yet despite the availability of Apprenticeship Levy funding for training, many SMEs continue to struggle to take on apprentices due to wage pressure and wider economic challenges.

To address this, the TUI Academy will support 60 unemployed young people to attain an apprenticeship qualification as a step towards a meaningful career while strengthening local businesses. The initiative includes a wage subsidy partnership with combined authorities and local councils, who will contribute 50% of the apprentice wage, with the SME employer funding the remaining 50%. The programme will leverage TUI’s Apprenticeship Levy funds to cover all training costs, whilst support from the TUI Care Foundation will help offset SME wage burdens - making apprenticeship recruitment more accessible for smaller employers. In addition, SMEs can have access to a New Youth Jobs Grant worth £3,000 which may be awarded in case the hired apprentice is aged 18-24 and has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for six months.

Building on successful initiatives such as the global TUI Academy programme, the Inspire Project, and the company’s extensive industry experience, the programme will offer a structured and supportive pathway into the tourism and hospitality sectors. Participants will complete a nine-month Level 2 Customer Service apprenticeship in the retail, hospitality or tourism sectors, with recruitment taking place through the Sector Work Academy Programme to equip potential candidates with vital employability skills.

Alexander Panczuk, Managing Director of the TUI Care Foundation, said: “This initiative brings together the strengths of the TUI Care Foundation, local combined and council authorities, specialist employability partners as well as the business expertise of TUI to create an accessible, inclusive and financially viable apprenticeship route. We are committed to helping people build skills and confidence, while giving SMEs the support they need to grow.”

Councillor Javeria Hussain, Portfolio Holder for Education, Employability and Skills for Luton Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to work with TUI and the TUI Care Foundation on this initiative which will help create better opportunities for young people in Luton through the development of apprenticeships. This is part of the council’s 2040 vision to upskill the local workforce and provide fulfilling and challenging jobs for everyone.”

The programme will run in partnership with Luton Borough Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority - areas identified both for their strong tourism potential and their higher-than-average unemployment and NEET rates. Target participants include NEET young adults, the long-term unemployed, disabled and neurodiverse individuals, and those with convictions.

Outreach and candidate identification will be delivered in collaboration with partners including YMCA, Shaw Trust, Working Chance, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Participants will also benefit from additional support such as English and maths skills development, peer forums and mentoring, and access to networking opportunities through TUI and local employers.

The initiative aims to demonstrate a sustainable model that can be scaled nationally, benefiting local economies, employers and individuals alike.