The ‘Hatch’ programme, launched between KFC and Youth UK, will help young people who face barriers to employment build their employability skills and confidence.

Three KFC restaurants in East Lancashire – Blackburn, Haslingden Road; Burnley, Colne Street; and Burnley, Trafalgar Street – all involved in the scheme.

Working with Youth UK to identify young people who need it most, the ‘Hatch’ program will provide participants with training, 1-2-1 support and hands-on work experience, with an interview at KFC upon graduation.

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The rollout of the program in Greater Manchester comes as new research from KFC and UK Youth reveals the stark impact of the cost of living crisis on young people’s job prospects.

This comes after the Office for National Statistics released figures showing 770,000 young people are currently out of school, work or training across the UK – higher than pre-pandemic levels.

To help reduce the barriers young people across the UK face, KFC and UK Youth are calling on the government to work more closely with businesses to ensure young people are equipped with the skills that help them thrive in the workplace.

By 2030, KFC aims to have one-third of all new hires recruited into the company be young people between the ages of 16-24, who already face barriers to employment – ​​whether is it due to the social, economic, domestic or mental health challenges that overcome the Hatch Program.

Meg Farren, general manager of KFC UK & Ireland, said: “Young people today are facing greater challenges than ever before. The pandemic has taken away vital skills and career growth opportunities – now they are facing a cost-of-living crisis and a precarious economy that has made landing their first job difficult. so much more difficult.

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“As one of the largest youth employers in the country, we have seen firsthand how difficult it is for young people to build the skills and experience they need to enter the world of work. work in today’s economic environment.

“Working with Youth UK, Hatch will help young people build their skills, confidence and land their first job.”

Jacob Diggle, UK Youth’s director of strategy, research and impact, said: “Youth work can play an important role in tackling rising youth unemployment. However, these life-changing services are under strain and need more support.

“The partnership between youth work and businesses is crucial to meeting the scale of demand. We are proud that our hatching program with KFC will help thousands of disadvantaged youth develop the confidence and skills needed to secure more secure employment.”