The traineeships programme will offer work experience, lessons in English and maths, CV-writing tips and advice on how to prepare for an interview.
The scheme, for 16 to 24-year-olds, is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
A discussion paper was published by the Government ahead of the programme's launch, with ministers saying they wanted to equip young people with the skills to compete for jobs and apprenticeships.
Skills minister Matthew Hancock (pictured) said: "We want to support everyone in our country to reach their personal best.
"To do that, we are introducing traineeships to help young people with the skills they need to get a job, and hold down a job. That's vital for our economy to compete in the global race, and it's a question of fairness."
Hancock added: "Traineeships will give young people the helping hand and experience they need to compete for apprenticeships and good jobs."
Ann Pickering, HR director at O2, said: Today’s announcement is another positive step towards helping young people unlock their true potential and take their first steps into the world of work. Young job seekers have skills that large swathes of workers don’t – they are digital natives. However, currently many don’t get the opportunity to demonstrate the digital knowledge that they can bring into the workplace.”
She added: “While government initiatives like this are vital for young people, all businesses have a role to play in giving them the opportunities they need to prepare them on the road to employment. Whether that’s offering training, work experience or even mentoring – every opportunity counts.”
This discussion paper on traineeships has been welcomed by head of learning and development for Barclays UK retail and business banking, Mike Thompson. He said: "As a large employer actively working with young people who are NEET (not in education, employment or training), Barclays welcomes this new drive to help prepare our young people for an apprenticeship, and get them into work."
Martin Doel, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said: "We have been arguing for some time for a pre-apprenticeship 'offer' to young people, a mixture of training and work experience that makes them attractive to employers and competitive for apprenticeships or for other jobs with training.
"We therefore welcome this consultation and the thinking that underlies the questions that it poses."
In November HR magazine held a Live Web TV debate on the skills gap in the UK. This is still available to view and you can also take part in the research.
