The end of September will see over 200,000 young people facing the final unfurlough, with another 500,000 young people fresh out of education. Meanwhile, the government prepares for a Spending Review which will have crucial implications for young people’s jobs and skills prospects.
Young people have been amongst those hardest hit by the pandemic, accounting for 39% of the fall in employment throughout the pandemic, despite accounting for just 12% of total employment. Whilst some employers are struggling to fill vacancies, long term youth unemployment is rising – up 54,000 (44%) since the pandemic began. Some groups have fared worse than others with the decline in hours worked for Black young people three times higher than for white young people.
What does the future labour market hold for young people? Our major study with The Prince’s Trust, supported by HSBC UK, shows the industries that typically employ young people will be hardest hit in the long term.
This event will explore the jobs and skills prospects for young people and considers the opportunities and challenges for different groups, employers and localities. As the UK transitions from pandemic support to jobs recovery, we’ll address the question: does employment and skills support need to roll back, stay the same, or adapt?
Speakers will include:
For partnership opportunities, please contact sam.windett@learningandwork.org.uk.
Agenda
9.45am – Welcome and introductions
10am – Keynote speech: Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Employment)
10.30am – Panel discussion: Levelling up: Supporting youth employment locally
11.15am – Coffee break
11.30am – Panel discussion: Employers: Building forward better
12.15pm Breakouts
1pm – Coffee break
1.10pm – Final keynote: Steve Rotherham, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region
2pm – Close