Drop-in events help young people plan their next step

Young people across Derbyshire are being offered free, face-to-face help with finding education, training and employment opportunities.

The county’s Youth Employment Support programme is running a series of summer drop-in events for people aged 16 to 24. Advisers will provide information and guidance, while Move On careers fairs will connect visitors with local opportunities. Further sessions are planned around exam-results season, when uncertainty about the future can feel especially intense.

The practical response matters because young people who are not in education, employment or training can face financial difficulty, reduced confidence and poorer long-term health. A local event with no booking requirement removes some of the friction involved in asking for help and gives participants a chance to discuss their individual circumstances.

The sessions alone cannot create jobs or solve wider skills shortages. Their value will depend on the quality of opportunities available and whether support continues after the first conversation.

Even so, bringing advisers and local routes together in an approachable setting can help a young person replace uncertainty with a clearer, achievable next step.