The Arete Foundation is proud to support Smart Works Greater Manchester and its employability programme for young women who are currently not in education, employment, or training.

Smart Works Greater Manchester supports unemployed women across the region by combining practical employability guidance with confidence-building support. Through one-to-one coaching, interview preparation, and professional styling sessions, the organisation helps women feel prepared, capable, and optimistic about entering the workplace.

The charity’s targeted “NEET Next Steps” programme focuses specifically on young women aged 16 to 21 who face significant barriers to employment, including low confidence, limited work experience, financial hardship, and social isolation.

Through structured workshops and personalised support, participants gain practical employability skills while also building self-belief and resilience. The programme creates a welcoming and supportive environment where young women can connect with peers, explore their strengths, and access ongoing guidance towards education, training, or work.

We are particularly encouraged by the organisation’s focus on early intervention and its commitment to ensuring that young women who are often overlooked are able to access meaningful opportunities and long-term support.