Category: News Hero

Youth Opportunities Deliver £262m Boost to the UK Economy

 

Today, we have published our 2-Year Impact Report, revealing how employer-led action via our movement is transforming youth employment across the UK.

The report shows that we have delivered an estimated £262 million in gross value added to the UK economy, by creating more than 250,000 pathways into work experience, training and employment.

Our analysis shows that employer-led opportunities, delivered through our network have driven higher employment rates and increased earnings for young people furthest from the labour market. Alongside these individual and social benefits, our work has also generated an estimated £37.5 million in fiscal savings, largely through reduced reliance on welfare.

With almost one million young people across the UK currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), our report highlights both the scale of the challenge and the impact that practical, employer-led collaboration can deliver.

Creating pathways into work since 2013

Since our founding in 2013, we have worked with employers, partners and government to break the “no experience, no job” cycle by creating high-quality early-career opportunities at no cost to young people. To date, we have delivered more than 250,000 work-based opportunities, supporting young people to build skills, confidence and experience while helping employers strengthen early-career talent pipelines.

Our Impact Report highlights a number of evidence-based initiatives already making a difference, including:

  • YouthPath – our place-based approach delivered with regional government and local employers, now live in the West Midlands, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester.
  • Work Experience Works – our flagship campaign setting the standard for high-quality work experience.
  • Next-Gen AI Skills Programme – delivered with Microsoft, Accenture and LinkedIn, equipping young people with digital and AI skills through DWP Youth Hubs and football clubs, in partnership with the English Football League and the Premier League.

Impact Report launch event

We launched the report today at Diageo’s London headquarters, bringing together employers, youth organisations, young people and policymakers to highlight the role of employer leadership in tackling youth unemployment at scale. Diageo, a member of our Steering Group, plays a key role in shaping and championing this collective approach.

Barry O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Diageo Great Britain, said:

“As a member of Movement to Work’s Steering Group, Diageo is proud to work alongside other business leaders to drive scalable and sustainable solutions for young people. By working together, we are not only creating meaningful opportunities but also generating lasting economic value for communities and the wider economy. Events like today’s Impact Report launch showcase how employers can lead change and help tackle youth unemployment across the UK.”

The launch event also provided a platform for employers, youth organisations and our Youth Ambassadors to share their experiences directly with policymakers, reinforcing the importance of coordinated employer action, high-quality work experience and clear skills pathways.

Reflecting on the event, Dame Diana Johnson, Minister for Employment, commented:
“This Government refuses to accept a generation of young people being left behind.

That’s why we’re investing £1.5 billion to get hundreds of thousands of young people earning or learning – expanding apprenticeships and training opportunities across the country.

Movement to Work is exactly the kind of scheme that’s making a real difference, connecting young people with the skills they need to build their futures.”

 

 

Our Chief Executive, Sareena Bains, said:

“Over the past two years, we’ve seen the power of collaboration – when employers, partners and government unite around a common purpose. Our Impact Report shows the scale of our progress and the practical solutions changing young people’s lives and delivering lasting economic value. We are committed to sustaining this momentum and taking the action needed to work together to tackle youth unemployment.”

Looking ahead

Building on the progress and evidence set out in our 2-Year Impact Report, we are now focused on scaling what works and extending the reach of employer-led solutions. We have reaffirmed our ambition to create the next 250,000 opportunities by 2032, working with employers, partners and young people to unlock potential, open pathways into work and help build a fairer future.

Read the full Impact Report here

YouthPath initiative launched to tackle youth unemployment across Greater Manchester

  • YouthPath partnership launches between Greater Manchester Combined Authority and national charity Movement to Work.
  • Offers 16 to 30-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training the chance to upskill, earn or learn.
  • Builds on Greater Manchester’s ambition to ensure that every young person has a clear line of sight into a good job.
  • Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Transport for Greater Manchester are the first employers to pledge their support.
  • Greater Manchester is the third region to launch the YouthPath initiative
Image: From left to right, Caroline Simpson, Group Chief Executive for GMCA, GMFRS and TfGM, and Mallicka Mandal, Director of People Services for GMCA and GMFRS, captured during the MOU signing that marked the launch with key GMCA leaders.

Greater Manchester has become the latest region to join YouthPath, a national initiative from charity Movement to Work that connects employers with young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) and helps them move into work, training or apprenticeships.  

YouthPath supports employers across the city region to offer high‑quality opportunities for 16–30‑year‑olds who are NEET, including work experience, apprenticeships, internships, traineeships and entry‑level roles. The initiative will help to tackle youth unemployment and close critical skills gaps in Greater Manchester. 

In Greater Manchester, around 4,000 young people aged 16–17 are not in education, employment or training. The YouthPath initiative is part of our ambition to ensure that every young person has a clear line of sight into a good job in the city region.

YouthPath launches as Greater Manchester sets out its plan to reindustrialise the region, focusing on five global growth sectors. By supporting young people who are currently out of training, education or work, the initiative will help ensure young people growing up here can benefit from the new opportunities being created across the region and help employers build stronger local talent pipelines.

As part of the launch, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Transport for Greater Manchester are the first to pledge their support as employers, creating pathways into work and training within Greater Manchester’s public sector.

Caroline Simpson, Group Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Transport for Greater Manchester, said:

“Our young people who are not in education, employment or training are missing out on the chance to build their skills, confidence and hope for the future. YouthPath will help us change that as part of our whole Greater Manchester system working together to give every young person a clear line of sight to high‑quality jobs and the opportunities our growing economy is creating.

“By bringing employers, local services and the wider system together, YouthPath will open up real pathways, starting in the public sector, that will show our young people what’s possible here. It demonstrates the Greater Manchester Strategy in action – tackling inequalities, strengthening belonging and wellbeing and making sure every young person can thrive and see their future in Greater Manchester.”

Greater Manchester is the third region to launch the YouthPath initiative. Movement to Work has already created more than 225,000 opportunities for young people, with 89% of participants moving on to employment, education or further training.

In the West Midlands, YouthPath is already making a difference to young people facing barriers to work. After a few setbacks, Fathi joined a five‑day YouthPath work‑experience programme with Accenture, which ultimately led to an apprenticeship. 

Fathi said, “The Movement to Work programme helped me build my confidence. Seeing what was on offer and how many young people had already succeeded made me realise I could achieve the same. Now, I’m proud to be doing exactly that as an Accenture Apprentice.”

Sareena Bains, CEO of Movement to Work, said, “Young people across Greater Manchester deserve real opportunities to build their futures. YouthPath shows what can be achieved when employers, local partners and the public sector work together to open doors into work, training and apprenticeships. By supporting businesses to get involved, we can help more young people develop the skills they need while building a more inclusive and future-ready workforce.”

Join the Movement

The launch is just the beginning. Employers across Greater Manchester are now invited to sign up to YouthPath and join a growing coalition committed to tackling youth unemployment. 

Movement to Work provides expert, fully-funded support to help businesses:

  • Develop or strengthen youth employment programmes.
  • Access a diverse, motivated talent pipeline.
  • Make a real impact on their local community.

For more information on how to get involved, visit: https://movementtowork.com/youthpath-greater-manchester-combined-authority

Together, we can unlock opportunity, strengthen communities, and build a brighter future for young people in Greater Manchester.

About Movement to Work: 

Movement to Work (MtW) helps employers deliver high-quality employability opportunities for young people aged 16-30 facing barriers to work. As a registered UK charity, MtW offers fully-funded professional support to businesses interested in tackling youth unemployment.

For over a decade, Movement to Work has helped deliver over 225,000 youth opportunities, including work experience, apprenticeships, sector-based work academy programmes, internships, traineeships, and entry-level roles. These efforts have resulted in positive outcomes for more than 89% of participants, who have gone on to secure further employment, education, or training.

Movement to Work’s Steering Group includes executive leaders from major UK businesses such as Accenture, BAE Systems, Barclays, Diageo, Marriott, M&S, Tesco, Salesforce, and Spirax Group, as well as leaders from the TUC, The CBI, The King’s Trust, and the DWP. MtW’s mission is to help young people gain access to valuable work experiences as a pathway to sustainable employment, and in turn, expose organisations to diverse, untapped talent. For more information visit https://www.movementtowork.com/

About Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Greater Manchester is one of the country’s most successful city regions. Home to more than 3 million people and with an economy bigger than that of Wales or Northern Ireland. Our vision is to make Greater Manchester one of the best places in the world to grow up, get on and grow old. We’re getting there through a combination of economic growth, and the reform of public services.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is made up of the ten Greater Manchester councils and Mayor, who work with other local services, businesses, communities and other partners to improve the city-region.

The ten councils (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan) have worked together voluntarily for many years on issues that affect everyone in the region, like transport, regeneration, and attracting investment.

Empowering the Next Gen: AI Skills in Action

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Tuesday for the AI Skilling Spotlight at LinkedIn’s HQ in London. It was an energising morning focused on AI skills, youth opportunity, and the future of work.

The LinkedIn team brought together a selection of brilliant speakers and we heard powerful insights from Skills England, including Dr Nisreen Ameen and Frank Bowley, on the newly published AI Skills Framework—along with a thought-provoking keynote from Dr Ole Teutloff on AI and the future of human expertise.

The panels brought together leaders from across industry, policy and youth employment to explore how we ensure every young person can thrive in an AI-enabled world. Huge thanks to contributors from Microsoft, Institute for the Future of Work, Youth Futures Foundation, GLA, Cisco, Connectr and the Open University.

Across all conversations, one theme stood out clearly: preparing young people for an AI-driven future cannot be done in silos. It requires partnership—between educators, employers, policymakers, and organisations working directly with young people. The appetite for collaboration in the room was undeniable.

A real highlight was welcoming young people onsite for hands-on career support. LinkedIn employees offered personalised 1:1 mentoring and helped attendees refine standout profiles, while professional headshots were taken throughout the afternoon. Young people also connected directly with employers, explored real job opportunities, and learnt practical ways to make LinkedIn work for them as they begin their career journeys with confidence.

This event also marks one of the first major moments in our new collaboration with LinkedIn through its Future of Work initiative—together we aim to expand opportunities for young people and strengthen the pathways that help them move into meaningful work.

Thank you to all speakers, partners and attendees—and to everyone helping build a future where every young person has the skills and opportunity to succeed.

And a huge thank you to LinkedIn for hosting us at your London office and for the incredible support from your team throughout the day.

 

A pathway to possibility for those too often left behind

 

We’re proud that our work has helped make a new collaboration possible by bringing together Accenture, Marriott UK and Springpod, to launch an innovative virtual-to-reality work experience, designed to help young people from underserved communities take their first steps into work.

This partnership bridges the opportunity gap by combining digital learning with real-world experience, creating an accessible pathway into the hospitality industry and tackling one of the biggest barriers young people face: a lack of experience itself.

Through our network of trusted youth partners, including: Shaw Trust, Centrepoint, ThinkForward, Aviard, and Street League, the programme will reach those who need it most, offering practical skills, confidence, and a clearer route to meaningful employment.

This initiative is a powerful example of what can happen when employers, educators, and youth organisations come together to remove barriers and unlock potential. Together, we’re building a pathway to possibility for every young person, no matter their background.

Read the full article here 

Get involved…

Employers – Work Experience Works
Work experience can take many forms, virtual, in-person, or blended and when done well, it changes lives. Learn how to design meaningful and inclusive programmes with our Work Experience Works best-practice guidance, co-created with our network of partners and employers.

Join us!

As a member of the Movement, you’ll get free support to grow youth employment programmes, with a dedicated account manager to guide you, from designing or updating your programme to connecting with our wider network. Learn more here

YouthPath Launches in Liverpool City Region!

This October we proudly launched YouthPath in the Liverpool City Region (LCR) together with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA). 

YouthPath is a targeted regional initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment and creating meaningful pathways into work for young people aged 16–30 who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

First launched in the West Midlands earlier this year, YouthPath has already shown the power of collaboration in opening doors for those who need it most. So we’re excited to expand this scheme, helping young people develop skills, gain experience, and access apprenticeships and job opportunities while supporting businesses to become more inclusive and future-ready.

Raise Up- A Summit of Hope

We officially launched YouthPath LCR at the Raise Up Youth Summit at Box Park, Liverpool, where hundreds of business leaders came together to support the region’s future workforce. The day was packed with inspiring discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, making it the perfect place to launch YouthPath as businesses across the Liverpool City Region were called to step up, show up, and lead the charge on social mobility.

Our CEO, Sareena Bains, led a powerful panel on breaking down barriers to employment, joined by our incredible employer partners Katie Byrne (Barclays), Nicki O’Connor (DWP), and our inspiring Youth Ambassador Emma Carter. Emma completed a Movement to Work placement with HM Revenue & Customs, has gone on to secure employment, and even met the Prime Minister and Chancellor—a true testament to the potential unlocked when businesses invest in young people! 

We were also joined by Councillor Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council and LCRCA Portfolio Holder for Employment, Education and Skills, who supported our call to action for employers in the Liverpool City Region to get involved.

Throughout the summit the Movement to Work team delivered free training sessions in partnership with Accenture, Microsoft, and LinkedIn — helping young people use AI and digital tools to find their path into work.

Liverpool Employers – Get Involved

YouthPath transforms lives — but its impact depends on the businesses that take part.

Liverpool employers now have the chance to:

  • Develop or strengthen youth employment programmes
  • Access a diverse and motivated talent pipeline
  • Make a tangible impact in their communities

We provide fully funded support to help businesses get started. Joining is easy, rewarding, and impactful.

Find out more and get involved 

YouthPath LCR

Together, we can unlock opportunities, strengthen communities, and give Liverpool’s young people the chance they deserve.

Read the press coverage

YAF: From Forum to Action

In September, we brought together employers and youth engagement leaders at our Youth Action Forum (YAF) to explore how we can better support young people facing barriers to employment — including those affected by homelessness, neurodivergence, and the justice system.

We heard from partners Youth Futures Foundation, Key4Life, Centrepoint, and ThinkForward UK, who shared inclusive recruitment strategies, inspiring success stories, and research into the challenges faced by NEET youth.

Our Youth Action Forums are a key part of how we bring employers and partners together to share insights, experiences, and practical solutions. They provide a space to discuss the challenges of running work experience programmes and explore ways to ensure we continue delivering quality work opportunities for young people. These forums are invaluable for learning, networking, and shaping more inclusive employment practices.

Reflecting on the day, Ashley from Think Forward said:

“I find these experiences give me loads of energy, new ideas and today has reminded me of the levels of complexity and the need for a highly bespoke approach to working with young people who are at risk of exclusion.”

Similarly, Amy from Centrepoint highlighted the collaborative spirit of the forum:

“We all need to take steps further to influence recruitment strategies and processes, it’s been awesome to talk through that today.”

The session concluded with a focused discussion on how employers can turn insight into action. In response, we’ve developed three new employer guides with our network of partners to help organisations create more inclusive workplaces.

We want to thank all the youth partners and employers who joined the YAF and shared their expertise. Your input was invaluable in shaping both the discussions and the content of these new resources.

Unlocking Potential: New Employer Guides Now Live

Guides cover: How employers can support NEET youth with neurodivergence, experiences of homelessness, and involvement with the justice system.

What’s Inside

  • Challenges – Barriers NEET young people face and why inclusion matters
  • What Works – Proven strategies for recruitment and support
  • Work Experience – Creating flexible, empowering opportunities
  • Workplace Culture – How to foster respect, empathy, and inclusion across teams
  • Training & Partnerships – Where to find expert guidance, resource & training  
  • Inclusive Hiring – How diversity strengthens teams and drives innovation

MtW Members: Access the guides via the Members Area under ‘Support’: https://movementtowork.com/members/

Not a member? Join here: movementtowork.com/employers-join-now

Inclusive hiring isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s good for business and life-changing for young people. Let’s continue unlocking potential together.

YouthPath Talent Match @ The NEC: Connecting Young People to Opportunity

On Thursday 25th September, we partnered with PeoplePlus to host a YouthPath Talent Match event at The NEC in Birmingham, a day designed to connect young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) with real job opportunities across the West Midlands.

With over 30 employers and nearly 200 young people in attendance, the event created a powerful space for conversation, confidence-building, and career exploration.

YouthPath in Action

This event was part of our wider YouthPath initiative, which has been running across the West Midlands since February. Designed to connect young people with accessible pathways into employment, the campaign continues to grow, thanks to the involvement of engaged employer partners offering real opportunities in the region.

We were pleased to be joined by several of these partners at the event. Compass Group UK & Ireland, Severn Trent, and The Berkeley Group (representing St Joseph Homes) showcased career opportunities across hospitality, utilities, and housing. Meanwhile, PGL offered insights into roles in outdoor education, and the Aston Villa Foundation introduced their catering and hospitality programme tailored for young people.

Paul Hughes, Senior Programme Manager, Aston Villa Foundation said: 

“We attended the Talent Match event to support Movement to Work’s YouthPath campaign and promote the opportunities that our Villa Catering Club can provide young people. We’re looking to support them into the hospitality and catering sector with real-life experiences and industry-recognised qualifications.

We were excited to meet and engage with young people through the opportunity that this event has provided us with, especially a targeted approach to 19–24-year-olds, and potentially sparking the start of their career journeys in the sector.”

By the end of the day, 482 meaningful conversations had taken place, 206 candidates progressed to second-stage interviews, and 5 job offers were made on the spot.

These numbers speak to the energy and intent of everyone involved and to the importance of continuing to create these kinds of opportunities across the UK.

A huge thank you to The NEC for hosting us and providing such a great space for the event.

Join YouthPath

If you’re an employer in the West Midlands and want to support young people into work, now’s the time to get involved.

Learn more and get involved: movementtowork.com/youthpath

Working with DWP to Tackle Youth Unemployment Together

Following the recent cabinet reshuffle, we’d like to extend a huge thank you to Alison McGovern MP and her team for their incredible support of Movement to Work and our mission to tackle youth unemployment.

Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of welcoming Alison to the Movement to Work Youth Employability Summit & Awards, where she spoke passionately about all the work we’ve been doing to support young people across the UK – from launching YouthPath in the West Midlands, to helping young people harness the power of AI for employability, as well as championing our Work Experience Works campaign.

With nearly one million young people currently NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), we know there is still so much more to be done and and we’re committed to working with Pat McFadden MP, Dame Diana Johnson MP, Jacqui Smith MP and the wider team at The Department for Work and Pensions to continue driving progress, in service of the young people who need us most.

Movement to Work Joins LinkedIn Global Impact Partner Program

Major collaboration to empower young people into work and prepare them for an AI-driven future.

We are excited to announce that Movement to Work (MtW) has been included in LinkedIn’s Global Impact Partner Program. This collaboration will unlock vital funding, resources, and tools to support thousands of young people across the UK as they take their first steps into meaningful work – and thrive in a world of work increasingly shaped by AI.

Youth unemployment remains a critical challenge in the UK, with a staggering 14.1% unemployment rate among 16–24-year-olds, and 948,000 young people currently not in education, employment or training (NEET). This collaboration aims to directly address this issue by equipping 10,000 young career starters, particularly those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds with the tools, networks, and skills they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving job market.

The collaboration’s mission is to harness LinkedIn’s full potential for career starters, equipping them to become AI-empowered and workforce-ready. Together, MtW and LinkedIn will deliver a landmark programme designed to give young people the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Key elements include:

  • Offering free employability skills training for career starters, including access to LinkedIn Learning courses
  • Providing tailored AI coaching to help participants maximise LinkedIn’s tools and resources.
  • Targeting support where it’s needed most, aligned with the UK Government’s Youth Guarantee initiative, to accelerate skills development and boost employability.

Sareena Bains, CEO of Movement to Work said: 

“We’re proud to have joined Linkedin’s Global Impact Partner Program. Together, we will empower young people to unlock the full potential of LinkedIn and the power of AI – supercharging our mission to give them the skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive. This collaboration is bold action against youth unemployment and a step toward a more inclusive future of work”.

Jessica White, Head of Social Impact, EMA & LATAM at LinkedIn, added: 

“The world of work is changing quickly and AI is accelerating many of the shifts we’re seeing in the types of roles and skills employers are looking for. This is challenging for all professionals but especially for early career starters,” said Jessica White, Head of Social Impact for EMEA & LATAM, LinkedIn. “That’s why we’re excited to collaborate with Movement to Work to enable young professionals with the insights, tools and learning opportunities they need to successfully navigate an AI-powered world of work.” 

How can you get involved? 

Aged 16–18 and not in education, employment or training? Curious about AI and how it can boost your job search?

Sign up for our LinkedIn and AI skilling sessions and get priority access to exclusive virtual and in-person training sessions. You’ll also unlock a wide range of resources to help you build in-demand AI skills, grow your network, and take your first step towards a successful career, all with the power of LinkedIn.

Employers 

If you’re already part of the MtW network, our team will be in touch shortly with details on how you can get involved in supporting this exciting new programme –  and how the young people you work with can benefit.

Not yet a member? Join our movement and make a real difference here

Stay in touch 

New Partnership: Compass Group UK & Ireland Joins YouthPath

We’re delighted to announce our new partnership with Compass Group UK & Ireland, who have also joined YouthPath, our targeted employability initiative in the West Midlands.

By coming on board, Compass is furthering its commitment to creating inclusive opportunities for young people who are currently not in education, employment, or training (NEET). As a YouthPath partner, they’ll help unlock potential and provide the vital stepping stones needed to get young people into meaningful careers.

Compass is commited to developing talent through its Our Social Promise – which aims to positively impact one million lives by 2030. 

In 2024, they launched Xcelerate with Edgbaston at the iconic Edgbaston Stadium: a cutting-edge facility equipped with professional kitchens, bars, and front-of-house spaces. This immersive environment offers young people practical, real-world experience and a launchpad into exciting careers in the hospitality industry.

Together, Movement to Work and Compass will focus on creating meaningful work placements and employability opportunities for young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). This partnership will help build confidence, develop vital skills, and unlock potential — empowering young people to take their first steps into the world of work.

This collaboration represents an exciting step forward in expanding access to career pathways in hospitality and beyond, particularly for those facing the greatest challenges in entering the workforce.

Movement to Work CEO, Sareena Bains, said:

“We’re proud to partner with Compass – a forward-thinking employer that truly champions young people’s potential. Their commitment to YouthPath reflects a shared vision of a more inclusive and accessible future of work. On my visit to their Xcelerate facility, I was inspired by the energy, purpose, and real impact they’re creating – empowering young people with the skills and confidence to thrive in hospitality.”

Jonathan Foot, Director of Skills and Early Careers, Compass Group UK & Ireland, added:
 “We are committed to providing opportunities for all. By joining YouthPath, we’re widening our reach, to those who need support the most and helping them unlock a brighter future through skills, confidence, and opportunity.”

A huge thank you to everyone at Compass for making this partnership possible {name people}. We look forward to the opportunities and positive change this collaboration will bring in the months and years ahead.

Want to get involved or learn more about our employer network?
 Get in touch with our team today: https://movementtowork.com/employers-join-now/