ABM partners with the DWP to tackle rising unemployment rates

ABM has joined the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Strategic Partnership Programme, which is designed to build productive relationships with local authorities, businesses, and community organisations to create pathways into employment and long-term careers, via tailored recruitment, training and mentoring initiatives.

Working with the DWP, ABM will have access to a range of DWP programmes, including Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), work experience placements, mentoring circles and the Government’s Youth Guarantee initiative which is designed to prevent long-term youth unemployment by delivering a range of opportunities to young people – including a £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant and 50,000 additional youth apprenticeships, supporting the Government’s mission to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to earn or learn.

The collaboration comes as the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show that an estimated 1,012,000 young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK were not in education, employment or training (NEET) between January and March 2026, representing 13.5 per cent of all young people in that age group. The figure has increased by 89,000 compared with the same period last year, highlighting the need for greater collaboration between employers and government to create meaningful pathways into employment.

ABM has long been creating pathways into employment and long-term careers for young people. Almost a quarter (22 per cent) of hires joining ABM’s Experience Solutions team since 2025 have come either directly from education or after being unemployed for more than 12 months.

Building on this, the partnership with the DWP has already seen over 20 young people sign onto the Airport Academy programme, which operates at Gatwick, Heathrow, Liverpool, Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands airports. The Airport Academy model aligns closely with ABM’s key operations, providing tailored support and pre-employment training to help individuals prepare for careers within the aviation and facilities services sectors. These sectors offer stable opportunities, structured development and clear career progression pathways than many people don’t realise exist.

The collaboration will also expand access to careers for people who may face barriers to employment, including armed forces personnel, people with disabilities, mothers, partners and carers returning to work, people with previous convictions and the long-term unemployed.

Working across the facilities solutions and transport sectors, which includes airports, rail, and bus networks, ABM offers careers built on attitude, potential and a willingness to learn rather than formal qualifications or years of experience. ABM states its approach is to hire for potential, recognising that skills can be developed and careers can be built.

Through the partnership, ABM will build on its existing community initiatives, including the Youth Careers Collective, delivering career insight projects in local communities to help ensure young people can see, consider and access careers they may not otherwise be aware of, supporting social mobility and developing future talent.

Charlene Ryan, Vice President of Human Resources for ABM UK & Ireland, said: “We believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t always equally accessible. At ABM, we’re committed to creating pathways into employment by hiring for potential, not just experience, and giving people the support they need to build long term careers.

“This partnership is about opening doors for more people, helping develop future talent and ensuring people from all backgrounds can access rewarding careers. Just as importantly, we’re committed to investing in our people once they join us through learning, development and opportunities to progress.”

As part of the partnership, ABM will benefit from a dedicated DWP point of contact, tailored recruitment support, access to the Jobcentre network and regular updates on employment initiatives. The partnership will also support the promotion of vacancies, candidate screening and matching, and access to targeted recruitment campaigns.