More than one million 16-25-year-olds are not in education, employment or training – the highest level in more than 12 years, official figures show.
A major review by former minister Alan Milburn found job and career opportunities for young people are “not growing, they’re shrinking” with one in six set to be out of work, education or training in five years unless action is taken.
“We are at risk of a lost generation” with young adults facing a “perfect storm” of challenges, Milburn warned in May.
Burnham also told the podcast that companies who provide six-week work placements for teenagers could be prioritised for government contracts.
He said he wanted to increase the number of 45-day placements, to give 16 to 18-year-olds the chance to spend more time with an employer and gain practical experience.
The PM also called for senior executives to offer young people who do not have established contact networks the chance to shadow them.
It comes after Burnham unveiled plans on Tuesday to open up new technical education routes to 14-year-olds, which would be put on the same footing as traditional academic pathways.
From Year 10, pupils will be able to combine core academic subjects, such as English and maths, with technical education linked to jobs in their area.
