The Youth Voice Census 2023 results are coming soon. Get your free ticket for the 18th of September
online launch to find out how young people are faring in 2023 and how we can support them moving
forward.

At the launch you will hear from sector experts and young people as we discuss the key findings in this year’s Youth Voice Census.

They will share what is working for young people today in terms of education, employment, and wellbeing, and explore what improvements need to be made with partners across the sector, employers and with UK Government policy makers.

Click this link to secure your free ticket

Recent grounds for economic optimism have, like the UK’s summer, been fleeting. While the latest figures on GDP growth were higher than expected and inflation fell to its lowest rate in over a year (6.8% in July), interest rates increased again to 5.25% in August, a fresh 15-year high.

This Insight looks at how the UK’s economy performed in the second quarter of 2023.

 

Click here to read more.

A new interesting report focuses on young people’s and employers’ views and experiences of good quality work and policy asks.

This report states the five most key factors that influence access to good work include:
1 Previous work experience
2 networks and knowing the right people
3 the qualifications you achieved
4 The right skills for the job
5 Availability of jobs in the area

 

Click here to access the full report

This report sets out the skills needs of employers in central London, and how the skills system could better meet those needs.

Central London has a dynamic economy – which drives growth across the UK – and the most highly qualified population of any part of the country. Yet despite these strengths, too many Londoners struggle to benefit from the opportunities available on their doorstep, and too many businesses struggle to find the skills they need.

Click here to access the report.

Several shockwaves have been sent through the UK Labour Market over recent years. Covid-19 saw all non-essential economic activity grind to a halt, leaving millions of workers furloughed and a smaller (though not insignificant) number fall out of the labour market due to long-term sickness or caring responsibilities, many of whom are yet to return.

More recently the cost-of-living-crisis has also left its mark, the clearest manifestation being the real-term pay cut most UK workers are currently facing, despite nominal wage growth being at historically high levels – hitting 7.2 per cent in April 2023.

Key findings
 6.1m workers – 3.4m in low insecure work
 55% of workers earning below the Living Wage ae in insecure work, compared to 11% of those
earning at or above the Living Wage.
 Largest disparity (proportion of insecure work) North East vs Scotland (7%)
 Vulnerable groups – minority ethnic workers, young workers, and older workers
Recommendations
 More focus on job quality to improve the nature of work and the experience of the UK’s low paid and
insecure workforce.
 Low Pay Commission remit to expand – cover labour standards, amount of notice workers gets for
shifts, strong wage floor.

Click here to read the full report

Report commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

This shows the different employment outcomes of groups such as disabled people, older and younger people, and people from ethnic minorities. It also highlights an important question: to what extent is growth in more flexible forms of work something that benefits both people and employers, or is it more of a one-way street in favour of employers?

Click here to watch the video! 

As part of International Youth Day – Coca Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) discusses the role of youth work and support from businesses when it comes to helping young people overcome barriers to employment.

Their view is that every young person should have the potential to thrive – no matter their background or experiences.

They recognise they have a responsibility as an employer to equip young people with the tools and resources that would enable them to thrive. In my view, giving back to the community isn’t just about providing financial support; we have other resources we can leverage to help make a difference.

They talk about their work with UK Youth in identifying the barriers to employment many young people face today and designing a programme of work to help young people overcome those obstacles, empowering them with the skills, confidence, and experience to feel workplace ready.

Click here to find out more! 

Compass Group UK & Ireland has launched the Social Partner Hub which will support candidates from a range of backgrounds who are facing barriers to entry into the job market. These include ex-offenders, care leavers, long term unemployed and people with disabilities.

The platform is being launched as part of Compass’ Mission to a Million commitment, which will provide support to one million people by 2030 through jobs, training, community engagement and development.

In recent years, Compass has already provided hundreds of work placements and jobs across the UK, for those who have traditionally found it difficult to find work and aims to significantly increase this through this new tailored recruitment process. Working with a range of partner organisations, the platform will match candidates with job opportunities and internships available at Compass.

The career hub will help to provide support for people struggling to access work, ensuring that the hiring process is inclusive and caters to the needs of each applicant. Compass hiring managers will also undertake training to better understand some of the challenges faced by different candidates, help identify roles that may be suitable and the support the individual will require to ensure everything is done to ensure the job or work placement is a success.

 

Click here to find out more! 

This year’s Lifelong Learning week will run from Monday 6th to Friday 10th November.

The purpose is to:

 Raise the profile of lifelong learning
 Celebrate and champion adult learners and adult learning providers
 Drive a shared focus among policymakers, providers, and other key stakeholders on increasing opportunities for lifelong learning

This year’s themes will include:

 Learning for Career Change
 Learning for Creativity and Culture
 Learning for Health
 Learning for Life
 Learning for the Future

You can register on the link below for further details.

https://bit.ly/45Nak3L 

The cost of living increased sharply across the UK during 2021 and 2022. The annual rate of inflation reached 11.1% in October 2022, a 41-year high, before easing in subsequent months. It was 6.8% in July 2023. High inflation affects the affordability of goods and services for households.

The inflation rate is falling but remains high, and it is expected to fall in 2023. Consumer goods and energy prices pushed inflation higher.

 

Click here to find out more!