12.10.2026

Government Minister praises Everton in the Community and OCS partnership for helping young people into employment

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram met young people who have moved into matchday jobs at Hill Dickinson Stadium through OCS and Everton in the Community, during a visit to the charity’s People’s Hub on Saturday 26th September.

Of the 15 young people who took part in the OCS Academy pilot, 13 have secured part-time jobs at the stadium. Two are waiting for second interviews. Participants were supported through the Youth Guarantee programme and completed accredited training in Basic First Aid, Level 2 Spectator Safety and Action Counters Terrorism (ACT), before putting it into practice through work experience at the stadium.

Mr McFadden and Mayor Rotheram were welcomed by Everton in the Community (EitC) Chief Executive Officer Sue Gregory and Adult Enrichment Manager Maxine Roberts, alongside OCS Group Chief Communications Officer Dan Barber and OCS Account Manager Jane Strange. They heard directly from young people supported by the charity.

Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said: “I’ve been enormously impressed by what I’ve seen here today. I’m a huge believer in the power of football and how it can do good off the pitch.

“I’ve seen here how Everton in the Community are really helping young people get jobs and on to their first step on the career ladder. They’ve got a great partnership with OCS, who can provide young people with a wide range of jobs.

“Young people just want a chance, between what’s happening here with Everton in the Community and OCS, people are being given that chance, and from what I’ve seen here today, young people will seize that opportunity.”

Before Everton moved to Hill Dickinson Stadium, OCS worked with EitC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to deliver inclusive recruitment events at Goodison Park. Local residents received digital support to apply for vacancies and took part in informal interviews. In total, 214 people took part in interviews and employability conversations and 154 were offered roles across Everton and OCS contracts, a 72 per cent conversion from engagement to job offer.

Dan Barber, Group Chief Communications Officer, OCS commented: “The partnership between OCS, Everton Football Club, Everton in the Community and the government-backed Youth Guarantee programme shows what we can achieve together. What stands out is the attitude of the young people joining this OCS Academy: they want to work; they just needed a chance to show what they can do. We all have a responsibility to provide opportunities and the skills they need to succeed.

“OCS can be an important platform for youth employment, where a first job in facilities management can lead to skills, progression, and a lasting career. We’re proud to work with Everton to help make that possible.”

EitC has worked with DWP since 2022. Since June, DWP Work Coaches have been based at the People’s Hub three days a week after it became a Youth Hub, connecting young Universal Credit claimants directly with the charity’s Employment Support Team.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: “I’ve always believed that talent is everywhere in the Liverpool City Region, but too often opportunity hasn’t been. Everyone has different strengths, ambitions and circumstances, so it’s vital that we create different routes for young people into employment, apprenticeships and training, giving them the chance to take that first step on the career ladder.

“The government has made clear its ambition to give every young person the opportunity to earn, learn or upskill, and our Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is helping us put that into practice here in the Liverpool City Region.

“Partnerships like this with Everton in the Community show what can be achieved when we bring those opportunities directly into our communities and give young people the support they need to take them up.

“We know there is huge potential across the Liverpool City Region. Our job is to make sure people have the opportunities they need to turn that talent into a future.”

Maxine Roberts, Adult Enrichment Manager, Everton in the Community added: “It was fantastic to host the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Regional Mayor Steve Rotheram to showcase the Employment Support work delivered by EitC in tackling the critical issue of youth unemployment.

“EitC are superbly positioned to help young people on the ladder to employment within Everton’s new stadium and the partnership contracts: Young people just need a ‘foot in the door’ connection to starting their career journeys and EitC are committed to help make those connections.”

The programme is now part of the opportunities available to young people registered with the EitC Youth Hub, combining accredited training, work experience and guaranteed job interviews over a two-to-three-week period.

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