Young people seeking jobs and training can find their perfect match online thanks to an innovative partnership between Surrey County Council and the next generation’s job app urfuture.
The Get Surrey Working Plan indicates there were 2,945 aged between 16 and 24 registered unemployed in Surrey in September 2025. And roughly one in 20 (4.5%) are classed as not in employment, education or training (NEET) or circumstances not known.
As part of a renewed focus on supporting people of all ages into employment, the Council has teamed up with urfuture to reach young people who aren’t engaging with traditional careers services or jobs boards.
Instead, the platform attracts its audience through social media, targeting those young people who have left education unsure of their next steps, and increasingly turn to platforms like TikTok and Instagram for guidance.
Rather than relying on CVs, urfuture’s algorithm matches candidates based on traits, motivations and working preferences, surfacing relevant opportunities that users may not be aware of.
The initial focus is on introducing Surrey youngsters to Skills Bootcamps, which are free fast-track government-funded courses designed to equip workers with the skills needed in Surrey’s growing sectors.
In just a few weeks, dozens of young people have applied for courses – meaning they could be in suitable roles with local employers in just 16 weeks.
Holly Hobbs, Chief Communications Officer of urfuture, who grew up in Staines, said the platform was built around a fundamental shift in how Gen Z approaches work.
She said: “Gen Z looks for work differently because we’ve grown up in a fundamentally different environment. We’ve been raised in a world of constant information, infinite choice, and algorithm-led discovery – largely driven by social media rather than traditional institutions.
“At the same time, we’ve experienced major disruptions early in life: the pandemic, rapid technological change, and the rise of AI. As a result, trust in linear career paths and traditional hiring signals has weakened. Job titles, CVs, and “one right route” don’t resonate in the same way they did for previous generations.
“Instead, Gen Z expects work discovery to feel more like the platforms they use every day: personalised, visual, fast, and guided. They want clarity, relevance, and authenticity – not endless searching or generic job descriptions. That’s why they don’t search for jobs in the traditional sense; they discover opportunities through content, recommendations, and platforms that understand who they are and what they’re suited to.”
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “Surrey has a vibrant diverse economy which makes a major contribution to the vitality of our communities and UK as a whole. But we know that many young people are struggling to know how and where they should be looking to take that vital first step into the workplace.
“This innovative approach breaks down some of those barriers, helping them understand what the roles are within businesses and highlighting where those first steps could take them.
“I’m delighted we’ve been able to team up with Holly and her team, which is one of many ways we are working with partners to deliver on our ambition to grow Surrey’s economy while ensuring no one is left behind.”
The initial phase of the partnership has focused on Skills Bootcamps to encourage those out of work into training in growing industries that need future talent. This includes cyber security, construction and sustainability.
Urfuture is also helping create short-form explainer videos for social media, covering key roles and sectors that will be needed in the region moving forward.
Holly said: “The broader outcome we’re aiming for is sustainable impact: better engagement, higher-quality applicants, and clearer pathways from discovery into training and work. Not just a short-term spike in interest, but a repeatable model Surrey can continue to build on as their programmes and digital strategy evolve.”
To find out more about Skills Bootcamps in Surrey, visit the Skills Bootcamps page on the Surrey County Council website.
Surrey residents of all ages can access free support to find work, learn new skills and get support into employment via the council’s STEP Surrey service.
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