'Jobs hub at football ground means I'm not alone'

"It's demoralising. You get a reply saying you haven't made it. What makes other people better than me?"

The words of Lukas Karciauskas, 21, one of an estimated 1,400 young people in Peterborough looking for work.

The city has one of the highest rates of young people not in employment, education or training.

But a youth employment hub at Peterborough United's football ground is hoping to help, and Lukas said it meant he was "not alone".

Lukas last worked in October but has had agency work and wants something more permanent.

He said jobs finished because employers said they had too many people and not enough work.

"You send a few CVs and you might not get a reply," he said. "It's like, 'OK, what am I doing wrong specifically to make me not have that job?'

"You know you want to strive for more, but are stuck in the same spot."

Lukas, looking for a career in IT, said the hub was making him more optimistic.

"Going to the Posh, the football ground, means you are with like-minded people, people that are potentially willing to help you," he added.

The employment hub opened at the London Road ground last month.

It aims to bring services together in one place for 16 to 24-year-olds, including careers advice, skills training and mental health support.

It is based in the youth hub run by Peterborough United Foundation (PUF), the club's charity arm, and is part of a £45m government scheme.

Figures from the Department for Education show 3.9% of 16 to 17-year-olds in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were not in education, employment or training in 2025 - above the national average of 3.4%.

The hub will be run by PUF, Jobcentre Plus and EFL in the Community, the charitable arm of the English Football League.

Tara Lynch, customer service leader for Peterborough and Wisbech Jobcentres, said they were "adapting the way we work so it better meets the needs of young people".

"It's vital that support is flexible, accessible, and delivered in places young people trust," she said.

"Partnering with major community organisations, like the local football ground, helps us engage more effectively and connect young people to real opportunities."

At 21, the foundation's youth employability mentor, Alicia Green, is the same age as many of those coming through the door.

"I think it makes me more relatable to them," she said.

"It's really nice to know that you're sort of giving them that opportunity and allowing them to grow skills and grow in confidence as well."

Joseph Lucak, 20, has been job hunting for three months. He said the hub had "100 per cent" made a difference.

"You just have to stay strong," he said.

"I feel for every one of the young people. It is difficult. But you just have to have faith, you have to believe in yourself. And if you have faith, you can do anything."

Jamie Jones, chair of the trustees for PUF, said he hoped the club was seen as a family.

"It's a really unique opportunity we've got here," he said. "The foundation and the football club are working really closely together to bring people into this amazing environment, and where people feel relaxed and able to talk to our members of staff.

"I think some of the young people we've spoken to find that as they've left school or college, that safety net hasn't been there, and they weren't sure where to turn.

"What we want to have here is that first place they can turn, to start rebuilding that confidence."

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