Mission UNstoppable has been commissioned by Walsall Council as one of several specialist interventions within the Government-backed Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, bringing an innovative new youth employability programme to unemployed 18–21-year-olds across the borough.

Delivered by Accelerate International Academy, Mission UNstoppable is a free, live online programme designed for young people who have struggled to find work, lack work experience or have lost confidence after months of unsuccessful job applications.

Rethinking youth employability

Across the UK, thousands of young people face a frustrating cycle of applying for jobs without hearing back. Many are eager to work but are held back by limited work experience, low confidence or uncertainty about how to demonstrate their potential to employers.

Traditional employability support often focuses on writing CVs or preparing for interviews. While these skills are important, they don’t always solve the biggest challenge facing young job seekers: how do you prove what you’re capable of when no one has given you the chance?

Mission UNstoppable was created to answer that question.

Instead of concentrating solely on CV writing, our youth employability programme helps participants identify their strengths, develop evidence of their skills through practical business projects, build confidence and learn smarter job search strategies that help them stand out in a competitive job market.

Supporting young people through the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer

Mission UNstoppable forms part of Walsall Council’s Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme, one of eight national pilots funded through the Government’s Get Britain Working agenda.

Delivered locally through Walsall Works, the Trailblazer is testing innovative approaches to help young people progress into employment, education and training. Around 150 young people across Walsall—including care leavers, young offenders, young people with SEND and social housing tenants—will receive tailored support through a range of specialist programmes.

Mission UNstoppable has been commissioned as one of these specialist interventions, providing an accessible online alternative for young people who may find traditional classroom-based programmes difficult to attend.

A different approach to employability training

Mission UNstoppable is a three-week live online programme that combines:

• Interactive live workshops
• Real business challenges
• Peer collaboration
• Digital learning tools
• Confidence and mindset coaching
• LinkedIn and modern job search strategies
• Practical employability skills that employers value

Rather than asking participants to simply describe their skills, we help them demonstrate them through meaningful activities that build confidence and create tangible evidence of their capabilities.

Our flexible online delivery also removes many of the barriers that prevent young people from accessing support, making it easier to engage from home while still benefiting from live coaching and group learning.

Early results are encouraging

The programme is already delivering promising outcomes for participants.

Early results show that:

• 44% received a screening call or interview after applying Mission UNstoppable’s job search strategies.
• 20% progressed into paid employment or apprenticeships within three months of completing the programme.

Beyond employment outcomes, participants consistently report significant improvements in confidence, motivation and belief in their own abilities—essential foundations for long-term career success.

From six months unemployed to thriving in work

For 21-year-old Nic, six months of unsuccessful job applications had left him questioning his future.

Within a month of completing Mission UNstoppable, he secured a role with a fundraising sales and marketing company. More than seven months later, he is still thriving in the role.

“Before Mission UNstoppable, my confidence had completely disappeared after months of applying for jobs and hearing nothing back. The programme completely changed how I approached job hunting. Learning how to stand out on LinkedIn, present my skills more effectively and communicate the value I could bring helped me secure an interview within a month—and that interview turned into a job. Seven months later, I’m still there and loving it.”

Stories like Nic’s demonstrate that many young people already have the potential employers are looking for—they simply need the confidence, tools and opportunities to communicate it effectively.

Building confidence that lasts

Mission UNstoppable isn’t just about securing the next interview.

It’s about helping young people rediscover their confidence, recognise their strengths and develop the mindset needed to build a successful career.

Participants regularly describe the programme as transformative.

Lucy, a 21-year-old care leaver, said:

“Mission UNstoppable is absolutely incredible at helping you understand your worth. I’ve grown in confidence, and it’s shown me how capable I really am.”

Nineteen-year-old Andrey, who secured an apprenticeship after completing the programme, added:

“I’ve learned a lot about how to present myself in the job market and make myself stand out.”

A new way forward for youth employability

Founder Kimberley Hatherall believes the conversation around youth unemployment needs to change.

“People often talk about a ‘lost generation’, but I couldn’t disagree more. They’re not helpless—the real issue is that too many young people are judged by what they haven’t done, rather than what they could do. They don’t need more CV workshops. They need opportunities to communicate their value, demonstrate what they’re capable of and, most importantly, believe in themselves again.”

Mission UNstoppable reflects a growing recognition that effective youth employability programmes must develop confidence alongside practical employability skills, giving young people the opportunity to showcase their potential before they have extensive work experience.

Find out more about Mission UNstoppable

Mission UNstoppable is delivered free of charge to eligible young people in Walsall through Walsall Works as part of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer.

If you’re a young person aged 18–21 who is looking for work, or you’re an organisation supporting young people into employment, we’d love to hear from you.

Learn more about Mission UNstoppable or contact our team to discuss referrals and upcoming programmes.