Minister for Skills joins national businesses and young people to explore solutions for improving pathways into good work

PwC was amongst national employers joined by Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, to discuss solutions to help more young people succeed in the labour market today.

Following the Autumn Budget, Youth Futures Foundation, the What Works Centre for youth employment, brought together young people and more than 100 employers to address the growing youth unemployment and inactivity challenge at the Good Work Summit.

Discussions centered on the Government’s Youth Guarantee and the importance of collaboration with employers to ensure every young person has access to employment, education or training.

Leaders at the Summit set out practical steps, from creating high-quality work opportunities and improving employer retention practices, to removing structural barriers preventing young people from entering and progressing in work.

Against the backdrop of one in eight young people not in education, employment of training (NEET), the Summit is a timely exploration of the role employers can play in addressing the ongoing youth employment crisis – and comes shortly after Government re-signalled its ambition to “abolish long-term youth unemployment”. This builds on PwC’s Turning the Tide on Economic Inactivity research, which found growing levels of economic inactivity in the UK presents a major challenge for individuals, business and government. The research sought to understand the drivers for people – particularly young people – leaving the workforce and steps employers can take to help them remain in work. Unfulfilling work was one of the main reasons for people leaving the workforce, along with mental health issues.

With the ambition to make youth employment a national priority, the event unveiled a new evidence-based definition of ‘good work’ for young people, co-created with youth ambassadors sharing their experiences of accessing and being in good work.

Carol Stubbings, UK and EMEA Managing Partner at PwC, comments:

“The Good Work Summit is a vital step in tackling economic inactivity and reducing the NEET rate – challenges that demand collaboration across business, government and communities. At PwC, our purpose is to solve important problems, and we know from our research this is one of the most pressing for businesses, individuals and government alike with one in four young people considering leaving the workforce, and mental health being a major driver.

We’re proud of the steps we’ve taken to engage young people and broaden opportunity, including upskilling 15,000 young people in the last year, and investing in local communities such as Bradford to support inclusive growth. We know there is more to do, which is why coming together with other employers today is essential for our collective progress.”

Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, said:

"Every young person should have the opportunity to build a rewarding career and experience the benefits that good work can bring, and yesterday’s £820 million investment will do just that.

"The Good Work Summit was an excellent opportunity to hear directly from business and young people as we press forward with our skills agenda, which aims to meet the needs of industry, equip young people for the jobs of the future and ultimately drive the economic growth our country depends on.

"Our commitment is clear: whether through apprenticeships, vocational training or education pathways, we will work with employers to break down barriers and create opportunities in every part of the country, so that no young person is left behind."

Barry Fletcher, CEO at Youth Futures Foundation, comments:

“To ensure real change happens, we must bring key actors together from all parts of the system who shape the lives and experiences of young people. Today’s Good Work Summit was a unique opportunity to facilitate collaboration between employers, policymakers and young people alike.

“Creating action together matters more than ever given the stubbornness of the UK’s youth employment challenge, where currently nearly one in five unemployed young people have been out of work for at least a year.

“Bringing young people into the workforce - and helping them thrive - is not only a social responsibility for us all but an economic imperative.”