The Growth Company Expression of Interest: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Jobs Guarantee

The Jobs Guarantee is a central part of the Government's Youth Guarantee initiative designed to tackle long-term youth unemployment. The programme, commissioned by DWP, aims to provide guaranteed jobs for 55,000 long-term unemployed young people over the next 3 years.

It targets those aged 18-24 who have been on Universal Credit for 18 months and may face complex barriers to work, including limited work experience, low skills, or wellbeing and confidence challenges. The programme provides a guaranteed, fully subsidised six-month paid job for each eligible participant, with the Government covering 100% of employment costs for 25 hours per week at the relevant minimum wage.

Alongside employment, participants receive tailored wraparound support, including pre-employment preparation, in-work mentoring and skills development, to help them sustain employment beyond the programme. DWP initially commissioned six Phase One pilot areas, with delivery beginning in Spring 2026.

Phase Two is expected to roll out nationally very soon, with go-live of the service anticipated in November 2026. DWP plan to appoint a lead provider for each of the 25 areas they have selected.

It is expected that successful applicants bring their experience of the local labour market to source suitable jobs and match young people to them. The Growth Company are interested in receiving Expressions of Interest (EOI) from providers with recent experience of delivering employment support provision for young people facing complex barriers on an end-to-end basis.

The Growth Company intends to bid as a Prime provider for Jobs Guarantee (Phase Two). We are seeking to engage with partners that understand the local labour market in the delivery area, strong employer links and partners that have the expertise to help support young people.

As an experienced provider currently delivering Phase One in Greater Manchester, we understand what it takes to deliver high quality services and interventions for the target group. To apply for this EOI opportunity, please register as a supplier on the Panacea Supplier Platform at the following web address: https://app.panacea-software.com/growth Once you have accessed the site, to view the opportunity you need to navigate to 'Register Interest', click the 'Participate' Button, then navigate to 'My Questionnaires' where you will be able to download the relevant EOI document.

Your EOI submission must be made on the Panacea Portal. The deadline for submission of the required EOI document is at 17:00pm on Friday 12th June 2026.