urfuture helps young people seeking jobs and training find their perfect match online. We – as part of Surrey County Council – are teaming up with the company to support the region’s next generation of workers.
The Get Surrey Working Plan indicates there are 2,945 people 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, we’ve teamed up with urfuture. The next generation’s job app reaches young people who aren’t engaging with traditional careers services or jobs boards.
Instead, the urfuture next generation job app platform attracts its audience through social media. It targets those young people who have left education unsure of their next steps, who are 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. It then surfaces relevant opportunities that users may not be aware of.
How is Surrey working with urfuture?
The initial focus is on introducing Surrey youngsters to Skills Bootcamps. There 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.
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.
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.“
Gen Z, jobs and urfuture
Holly Hobbs, Chief Communications Officer of urfuture, grew up in Staines. She says the platform was built around a fundamental shift in how Gen Z approaches work.
Holly says: “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.”
Find out more
Visit our Skills Bootcamps page to find a course that works for you.
Need extra help? Get in touch with our team of experts via our Get Support Now form.
