Movement to Work works with businesses and organisations that have the imagination to give young people who need more support a chance in the workplace through placements and other job opportunities. Together we have provided over 80,000 placements, and over 50% of those completing them have gone onto employment or back into education.

But, of course, many businesses need more than imagination, they must justify all of their decisions to investors, staff and customers. And the good news is they can. Recruiting this way makes financial sense through lower recruitment costs, ensures a high level of loyalty among incoming staff and improves the morale of existing staff. James Ashall, Chief Executive, Movement to Work provides an insight into how organisations like BAE Systems, BT, Marks and Spencer and the NHS have benefited from looking deeper into the labour market.

What’s in it for me?

Employing people is possibly the most difficult challenge organisations face. Getting the right people, with the right attitude and skills, is what all organisations aim for, but it can be a difficult task even with references, extensive CVs and facilities like LinkedIn that can give a much better idea of a person than was available in the past.

So, what about companies that are looking for younger people to train into the sort of colleagues that will be the business in several years’ time, who will have the skills that organisations need if they’re going to thrive or even continue to exist? Their CVs won’t have much on them, and they’ll have relatively little professional or academic experience, and many may not have yet learned ‘soft’ skills like punctuality and professional communication.

There is a big pool of young people out there, there always is; people in the 18-24 age group are much more likely to be unemployed than any other age group. Some of those young people will be pushed towards organisations by well-meaning, concerned parents, and some of these parents will even have links with the people that run those organisations. And some of the young people will be exceptionally well qualified, with degrees in humanities or arts subjects like media studies, history or sociology; not immediately obvious fits for businesses, but parental support power can help significantly.

So, that’s all good. But what about the rest?

• Those who are long-term unemployed,
• come from challenging or disadvantaged backgrounds,
• without families to support them financially or nurture their ambition as well as positive attitudes towards work and education?
• What about young people with mental-health issues, who are disabled or even young offenders?

What happens to them?

The good news is that 100s of organisations have pledged to provide work placements for these young people through Movement to Work, and they would argue that loyalty from those who never thought they would get a chance for a decent career makes them into model employees, whilst bringing numerous other advantages and hidden benefits.

In a 2018 Accenture report, commissioned by Health Education England, found that there was a 9% reduction in staff turnover, and reduced absenteeism, from young people recruited by the NHS via work-placement and employability schemes, which help young people develop workplace skills. This is part of the reason why, over a five-year period, it was determined that for every £1 spent on these schemes, a NHS trust could get that £1 back, plus an additional £2.50 in financial and economic benefits.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust’s (NUTH) Project Choice is offered to young people aged 16-24 in Newcastle with learning difficulties, disabilities or autism. To date 84% of the Trust’s Project Choice participants have gone on to into paid employment. The project is part of Health Education England’s programme to support the widening participation agenda and is a huge endorsement of the value to organisations of considering all young people for employment.

Disabled people and neurodiversity can be issues that many organisations fail to consider, or they don’t know how to access them or integrate them into current workforces. This is not only unfair to the young people, it means that those organisations are missing out on high-calibre candidates through ill-conceived preconceptions.

Certain neurodiverse conditions can lead to candidates being more suited to certain tasks. For example, Auticon is an international IT and compliance consulting business which hires consultants on the autism spectrum.

Ray Coyle, the chief executive of Auticon in the UK, said: “There are tangible business benefits to neurodiversity; Auticon consultants have abilities that set them apart from others. They have a genuine awareness for quality, outstanding attention to detail and intuitively recognise novel patterns in complex quantities of data.”

Employing young people who need particular support incurs relatively low recruitment costs as recruitment agencies are generally not involved and the HR interview process can be relatively light as so much is known about the candidates already.

Doing this also serves to drive morale within organisations. Employees increasingly want to feel that they are putting something back into society and coaching a young person can fulfil that desire.

David Pincott, who was a public affairs manager with BT, reflected on a scheme that BT ran alongside Movement to Work, where managers and others from around the company helped young people with CV writing and interview techniques:

“I remember one young man who told me in a mock interview that his weakness was that he ‘couldn’t read or write.’ I stopped the interview there to explore what he could say about that in real interviews and he described how had got himself onto an adult literacy course so that he could get a gas-safety certificate. I was amazed and humbled at the same time.

“Amazed that he talked about a ‘weakness’ that would have ruled him out of many jobs if he talked about it in an interview in such blunt terms, and humbled at his determination to get past this hurdle. This determination would be a strength for him in future interviews and a feeling for me going home that night of actually helping to make a difference.”

Championing the importance of diverse and inclusive workplaces and celebrating compelling personal success stories – often in the face of adversity – that ultimately lead to enhanced business performance, have been common themes that have emerged so often for Movement to Work.

Anastacia Jamfrey had become a mother at the age of 16 and had spent long periods unemployed, until she came across Movement to Work and started a placement at BAE Systems, which led to an apprenticeship position with the company:

“Because BAE Systems got to see me operating in the workplace I now work in engineering and have become a passionate STEM ambassador, even though  I’ve no STEM qualifications!

“I remember being approached by a manager at a social function who wanted me to work in his part of the business; imagine going from being long-term unemployed to being sought out because someone had recognised my skills. My work placement did that, I would never have been considered on paper, I wouldn’t even have applied.”

Irfan Ayub had been exposed to criminal activities from an early age and had been expelled from school with no qualifications. He found a work placement through Street Elite, the youth development initiative that uses sport and mentoring to motivate young people.

Irfan said: “I’m now in a job where my colleagues must have degrees. I’ve got no qualifications on paper but by being seen first-hand in the workplace, it meant I didn’t need them. The people there saw something in me, more employers must recruit this way.”

Marks & Start Work-placement Programme

Marks & Spencer has been running a work-placement programme, Marks & Start, which helps people facing barriers getting into work, since 2004. It’s aimed at single parents, people with disabilities or health conditions and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. M&S also supports ex-forces people, service leavers and ex-offenders into work through employability programmes run with its partners.

Marks & Start has provided benefits for recruitment, development, engagement and retention, as well as building positive messages about M&S in the community and demonstrating its commitment to responsible business.

As part of Marks and Start, M&S’s Make your Mark programme provides access to a bank of work-ready young people who have been ‘tested’ before they even start a job; it reduces recruitment costs and those who do join are loyal and committed; it helps recruit and create a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects local communities and, importantly, retains high-performing existing employees who support and develop programme participants – they feel their employer and their impact in work is making a difference to others’ lives.

The scheme offers development opportunities for existing employees to develop business critical skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork and resilience through taking on ‘buddy’ roles; 87% of buddies say the programme boosts their skills, loyalty and pride in working for M&S.

Ongoing evaluation continues to illustrate that 99% of buddies feel motivated by involvement in the scheme and 98% say it makes M&S a better place to work. Employees feel a pride and passion that their employer cares and go out of its way to support disadvantaged people in the community.

90% of participants say that the programme changed their lives, giving them the confidence to get back to work. Over 90% say that they now had a greater understanding of the world of work and have improved self-esteem and the confidence they needed to get back into work.

These quotes and statistics demonstrate that this programme benefits M&S. However, where Marks & Start has the biggest impact is for the young people themselves, their families, their futures and their communities, and this is something that drives many at the business to make the programme a success.

Sacha Berendji, retail, operations and property director at Marks &  Spencer, said:

“The young people I’ve met on our Marks & Start programme have been very engaging and unbelievably positive about the M&S opportunity, and our retail teams love to see people so eager to learn, progress and be part of the M&S family, it really raises morale. Employability programmes like this help to put the ‘heart and soul’ into M&S, creating a deeper connection with the community where our customers live and makes us a better business as a result.”

Skills Shortages In The UK

Ironically, another big issue facing the UK currently, aside from youth unemployment, is a skills shortage.

Three in five firms says the UK’s skills shortage worsened in the last year and more than half expect the situation to further deteriorate, according to research from the Open University from 2018. Three in five firms says the UK’s skills shortage worsened in the last year and more than half expect the situation to further deteriorate, according to the research.

David Willet, The Open University’s corporate director said:

“Organisations need to take a more sustainable, long-term approach, building talent through training rather than buying it in.”

The economy is working at almost full employment for older age groups and a number of sectors are running out of people with the skills the UK desperately needs.

There are some astonishing success stories for organisations that have looked deeper into the labour market, not only for the young people involved, but for the future of those businesses as they ensure they build the skills needed to expand and maintain healthy businesses.

It’s critical for the UK that at this this time of uncertainty, at the very least we can help young people who haven’t been given the opportunities that many take for granted, but we must also consider relevance to business and organisational objectives too.

We know for certain the benefits because so many of the organisations that recruit via Movement to Work and our partners continue to do so, and not just because their current workforces appreciate it and it’s good for society, but it also makes commercial sense.

James Ashall, Chief Executive, Movement to Work

This article was first published at FE News

Access to work, and access to community youth services must be provided if we are to tackle youth crime

The Government’s new funding, promised in the Spring Statement, must be aimed at root causes of youth crime. Movement to Work, IHEART & London Youth are calling on employers to provide more opportunities for all young people and for Government to reinvest in the UK’s youth services. Providing a future through positive mentorship, hope and ambition will have the greatest impact

Work-placement charity, Movement to Work (MtW), IHEART, a charity which helps young people develop their mental health and resilience, and London Youth, which aims to improve the lives of young people in London, are calling on more employers to provide work opportunities for young people who may otherwise enter a world of crime, and for funding to be restored for youth outreach and facilities.

MtW also calls on the Government to properly fund youth services. The £100m promised in the Spring Statement appears to be primarily aimed at policing. Though this has a role to play, it does not address the root issues of why much of youth crime occurs.

London Youth agreed:

While police are a part of reducing the levels of violence, enforcement is not the single solution. The work of the Youth Violence Commission has shown the roots of violence are deep and that there are no quick solutions. To end violence, we must take determined and bold action in addressing poverty, reducing the disparities experienced by people from many backgrounds, and providing more positive and meaningful opportunities for all young people.

MtW, which has delivered 80,000 work placements over the last five years for young people who are not in education, employment or training, says that gaining meaningful work can be a major long-term factor in helping to address the current wave of knife crime. Over 50% of those who have completed a MtW work placement have gone onto employment or back into education.

The youth unemployment rate was 11.8% in February 2019^[1], and far higher in areas of deprivation, compared to an unemployment rate of 4.0% for the whole population. With limited opportunities available, it’s easy to see why some young people become marginalised, disconnected from the statutory support available and ‘hidden’ from the statistics.  London Youth has produced a report Hidden in Plain Sight, which describes this issue.

The job opportunities are there with thousands of vacancies and employers investing to support young people into employment through apprenticeships, work placements and other opportunities. However, this can only make a difference if young people believe that they can access these opportunities and have access to relevant mentoring and role models to show them the pathway to jobs. This national challenge needs a joined up local response, and more funding is needed for youth outreach organisations and mentors, to do the vital work in supporting young people towards these opportunities.

James Ashall, chief executive at Movement to Work, said:

“As a coalition of employers we can support people into employment once they are known to us, but it’s organisations like London Youth who are part of local communities that can support young people to find their way to MtW and employers.  Positive mentorship is critical and we must address this. It is not a problem that can be solved in isolation by individuals; it needs society to come together to provide the right pathways, mentors and opportunities to find support.

“Employers now working with MtW have found that these young people are loyal, develop badly needed skills and that current workforces enjoy mentoring them. Meaningful employment is key to positive ambition; if young people see a bright future and potential careers, with positive guidance, we will all benefit, and looking at things starkly, fewer lives will be lost.”

Rosemary Watt-Wyness, CEO of London Youth, which represents over 480 youth organisations in London, said:

“Rising youth violence coincides with sustained cuts to youth services and fewer opportunities available to our young people. London’s Lost Youth Services report (2018) identified over £145 million lost from youth services across London since 2011, with 81 youth clubs closing and 800 youth service roles being lost in this period. Youth clubs are embedded in their local communities, they help young people build confidence and develop life skills critical to their future economic success. Young people choose to attend youth centres and build trusted relationships with youth workers which are key to inspiring them about the future. Our employability work has proven the positive outcomes young people achieve when employers and youth organisations work hand in hand.”

Brian Rubenstein, CEO of IHEART, a charity that helps young people develop mental health and wellbeing to become resilient, contributing members of society, and author of Escaping the Illusion, a novel covering knife crime, gang culture and other issues, said:

“It’s vital that young people realise their in-built potential. It’s crucial to help them see how they can build resilience and self-confidence and, for many, this will also involve meaningful work that provides good lifestyles and ambition. Combining an understanding of what constitutes their own innate mental health with a placement through Movement to Work will provide the means of realising that potential when they take up jobs or go back into education. This will help to reduce crime amongst young people, which is so often the result of the mistaken belief that there is no potential within them for a positive life.”

About Movement to Work (MtW): A collaboration of UK employers committed to tackling youth unemployment through the provision of high-quality work experience and other work opportunities. 80,000 work placements have been made possible by employers, charities and Government working together through MtW. Collectively they have provided young people with diverse and empowering experiences ranging from hospitality to engineering. Working with MtW, employers create work experience placements for unemployed young people between 16-30 years of age, particularly those who have been out of work, education or training for some time.

MtW works with charity partners that specialise in addressing particular issues, which includes long-term unemployment, homelessness, mental-health and young offenders. These charities help to provide a pipeline of young people who will benefit from a work placement. MtW’s employer members include Accenture, BAE Systems, Barclays, BT, BUPA, Centrica, the Department for Work and Pensions, Diageo, HSBC, IBM, Marks and Spencer, Marriott International, NHS, Tesco, Unilever and Wates, amongst others.

About London Youth: We are London Youth, a charity on a mission to improve the lives of young people in London, challenging them to become the best they can. Young people need opportunities outside school to have fun with their friends, to learn new skills, to make a positive change in their communities and to shape the city they live in. Last year, we worked with over 27,000 young people through our sports development, employability, youth action and involvement, arts and outdoor education programmes. Our work gives young people access to opportunities they might not otherwise have had.

Throughout our history, community youth organisations have provided a constant lifeline and a vital safe space outside the family and formal education, where young people can develop confidence, resilience and skills.

Our Future Talent employability programme launches in April 2019 through which we will work with 320 young people aged 14-18, who will be recruited to the programme from member youth organisations working in those five London boroughs.

About IHEART: Innate Health Education and Resilience Training is a registered charity dedicated to creating a revolutionary shift in society by helping young people realise their potential through learning about the innate resilience and mental health that all human beings possess. Despite huge investment and allocation of resources, society is facing a mental health crisis.

Our vision is to catalyse a step-change in how young people perceive their wellbeing and mental health, creating resilient adults and contributing members of society. The thoughtfully designed IHEART programme is our response to this crisis facing our youth. Since our conception in January 2018, we have impacted over 1,500 young people. The programme engages and empowers people with the built in knowledge that they can manage their challenges and difficulties. This accelerates an increase in wellbeing and resilience in all aspects of personal, social, family, work and communal life.

Our results are transformative and sustainable. In explaining how the often challenging circumstances of our lives can be navigated with far greater ease, confidence and success, the revolutionary IHEART approach offers the missing piece in the mental health and wellbeing puzzle that society wishes to solve.

This article was first published at FENews.

The Awards Evening saw young MtW graduates, employers, charity and delivery partners come together to celebrate the outstanding and impactful achievements that took place over the course of 2018. The theme of mentorship was one that ran throughout the course of the evening – fitting as Movement to Work is about positively impacting young people, in order that they can unlock their talents and fulfil their potential through the world of work.

Mentorship can take many forms but the essence of empowering a young person to pursue opportunities and providing helpful guidance that opens a world of possibility – were common themes. Those messages were prominently endorsed by the stories of the award winners. Additionally, the theme was further brought to life during a panel discussion, which shared the personal experiences of panellists. Jake Humphrey was joined by Spencer Owen aka Spencer FC, Rio Ferdinand, and some of the ‘Mentor of the Year’ and ‘Individual Impact’ award nominees, namely, Kieran, Tracy-Jane and Pauline.

Tracy-Jane explained that a work experience placement and some helpful guidance when she was a teenager allowed her to embark on the first chapter of her career with 10 years spent in the hospitality sector. In her current role with the Department for Work and Pensions and through her passionate commitment, 20 of the 29 young people she mentored last year progressed into employment. Pauline shared the transformation that she has observed in the 234 young people who have come through the Diageo ‘Learning 4 Life’ programme – indicating that the change in their self-belief has been truly remarkable. Rio spoke of the impact that Sir Alex Ferguson had on so many young footballers’ careers – highlighting his diligence and work ethic, over such a lengthy managerial career, as an example to all. Jake shared his personal career journey that involved the early setbacks of terminated employment and failed A-levels, encouraging young people to be resilient and ambitious.

Exploring the important role that mentoring plays was inspiring and thought-provoking in equal measure. Likewise, in celebrating the achievements of 2018 and the 80,000 Movement to Work placements that have been delivered to date – it allows our members to look forward to 2019 with excitement and an energised sense of purpose.

This year’s CEO Summit brought together chief executives and other leaders of some of the UK’s largest organisations, youth outreach partners and young people who had gone through employability schemes found through Movement to Work. The aim of the discussions was primarily to explore the issues facing young people who need extra support to get on the career ladder.

The CEOs and leaders included those from Accenture, BAE Systems, Barclays, BT, Centrica, the Civil Service, Diageo, KPMG, Marks & Spencer, The Prince’s Trust, QA Learning, Tesco, UK Youth and Unilever, amongst others. Many of the young people now working in those organisations joined their leaders in the discussions.

There were four discussions: making the skills reform accessible for all, supporting all young people into employment, looking deeper into the labour market in a climate of skills shortages and for the next generation, every job will be a tech job.

Some of the principle themes resulting from these discussions will be of no surprise, for example, the quality of careers guidance in schools. There was unanimous agreement that this still wasn’t working. The Apprenticeship Levy was also criticised, with some pointing out that instead of helping young people onto entry-level apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeship training, some of the Levy money had been diverted towards MBA training for existing executives!

It was apparent from the debates that many socially responsible employers who wanted to look deeper into the labour market were encountering difficulties in finding young people. This is despite so many young people wanting to find work, whilst the UK is suffering from a skills shortage, yet many young people who could be trained are unemployed. It was felt that regional and local government, who could do so much to help, are disconnected from the issue.

However, there was positive news, and this was how young people who have had extra challenges in their lives can become great employees, with huge talent and loyalty. And the young people at the discussions were great examples. There was much discussion of the value of mentorship, particularly around how these young people were able to influence positively other young people who were not obvious candidates for some roles.

Movement to Work believes that all the issues discussed are wholly addressable, and we are working towards this. Already we have arranged thousands of placements with over 50% of those completing them going onto jobs or back into education. We are writing to Government Ministers and others in order to provoke action to address as many of these issues as we can, and in some cases resolve some that have been with us for too many years. We will keep you informed of progress.

The Movement to Work Social Mobility Awards was a chance for us to recognise those organisations and individuals who had made the most of an opportunity and real difference to the life prospects of young people. There were many inspiring stories across the nominees and I would like to congratulate all of those shortlisted, the impact you are making is critical in providing deserved opportunities to young people across the UK.

The winners were chosen by a panel of young Movement to Work graduates across the 5 categories and each category is a key pillar in the success of Movement to Work.

Employer of the year recognises those employers going the extra mile to ensure that young people are getting the opportunity they deserve and importantly that leads into meaningful work.  The work of the Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust exemplifies this and should be an inspiration to us all.

However we know the Movement to Work system works through collaboration and without the training providers and youth outreach organisations the employers cannot do their important work.  This award was nominated by employers to those youth charities that had made the biggest impact on them. The Princes Trust received multiple nominations and exemplified what great employer partnership looks like.

Then it comes to the individuals. We know that in order to drive change in a system committed individuals and pioneers are critical to lead the way.  Karen Marshall’s work at Accenture was a brilliant example of this driving the agenda with passion and bringing her organisation with her.

Our second individual award was for mentorship, a major theme of the awards.  We know that great mentorship is a key driver of lasting success for young people before placements, during placements and in the first year of work. Tracy-Jane Fielding at the Department for Work and Pensions has built this into how she delivers her programmes and personally made a significant impact to many young people in the Hyde area.

And finally the most importantly award of the evening, the Rising Star. Ultimately everything we do is in service of supporting young people into meaningful employment, providing them the opportunity to get on the career ladder and fulfil their potential through work. This award is a chance to showcase one of the thousands of young people who have seized that opportunity. Shajida, congratulations again a richly deserved award and we know you will continue to be an inspiration to young people across the UK.

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Award winners

Rising Star

A graduate of Movement to Work who has gone on from their placement to build a career, inspiring people across and beyond their organisation with their achievements

Shajida Akthar

Accenture

Software engineer

Shajida grew up in one of the most deprived areas in the country and because of little encouragement towards education and work she felt restricted in what she could do. After completing a Movement to Work placement, Shajida gained an apprenticeship at Accenture, graduating to become a software engineer and analyst working on significant projects.

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Charity of the Year Award

 Nominated by employers and awarded to the charity partner that has worked collaboratively with them to scale their impact and find new ways to support young people into employment.

The Prince’s Trust

The Prince’s Trust listens to young people’s concerns in order to provide the best possible support. It helps 11 to 30-year olds who are unemployed or struggling at school to transform their lives. Many are leaving care, facing homelessness or mental-health issues, or have been in trouble. Three in four young supported by Trust move to work, education or training.

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Movement to Work Employer of the Year Award

An organisation which has had a significant impact on young people in the UK, pioneering in its approach with a great environment

NUTH

NUTH’s Project Choice is offered to young people aged 16-24 in Newcastle with Learning Difficulties, Disabilities or Autism. The project is part of Health Education England’s programme to support the Widening participation agenda. To date 84% of the Trust’s Project Choice participants have transitioned into paid employment.

 

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Individual Impact Award

An individual who has shown outstanding commitment and contribution to Movement to Work through their organisation and beyond, championing its impact on diversity and inclusion, social mobility and recruitment

Karen Marshall

Accenture

Program & project management associate manager

Karen devised Accenture’s employability programme three and a half years ago. The programme is now well-established, supporting over 100 participants. Her total outreach and engagement activities have reached 15,000 students from schools, colleges and universities, as well as those not in education, employment or training each year.

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Mentor of the Year Award

Celebrating the crucial role that mentors play in supporting young people to fulfil their potential.

Tracy-Jane Fielding

Department for Work and Pensions

Movement to Work & Community Site Lead

Between 2017 and 2018, Tracy-Jane (TJ) mentored 29 young people, helping 20 into employment. TJ has completely transformed the lives of many young people who have taken up a Movement to Work placement at DWP. Her passion, empathy and commitment have been described as “outstanding” by her colleagues.

Government reaffirms the importance of Movement to Work

The Government was crucial to the foundation of Movement to Work in 2013 and at our recent awards reaffirmed the importance of the work we do together. Alok Sharma MP, Minister of State for Employment, who provided the keynote address at the event, pointed out that though youth unemployment has reduced we cannot be complacent. He said that he was determined to ensure that the Government makes further progress to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to benefit from a stable job.

He paid tribute to Movement to Work and you, our members, describing the really positive news that the 80,000 placements we have provided over five years has led to tens of thousands of young people getting opportunities in the workplace. He also highlighted the Government’s ongoing commitment as an employer, with thousands of placements having been completed in the Civil Service.

Rt Hon Amber Rudd MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, shared with us her views on the importance of the work we do: “Giving a young person a chance, sometimes one of the few chances they may have been given, is often transformative. Doing this can lead to changes that have a lifelong impact, not just on the young person but on their communities too.” She urged all businesses and organisations to consider hiring more young people, saying that they are an “unrivalled source of fresh perspectives, unrivalled ambition and energy.”

Alok Sharma, Minister of State for Employment, pays tribute to Movement to Work and its partner employers for delivering skills and prospects to young people who need extra support to get on the career ladder

UK work-placement charity, Movement to Work (MtW), will announce at its annual

CEO Summit and Awards on 4 February 2019 that its employer members, including FTSE 100 companies and SMEs, have delivered 80,000 work placements over the last five years, for young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

MtW is a collaboration of UK employers committed to tackling youth unemployment through the provision of high-quality work experience and other work opportunities. The 80,000 work placements have been made possible by employers, charities and Government working together through MtW. Collectively they have provided young people with diverse and empowering experiences ranging from hospitality to engineering.

The placement programmes lead to tangible results for young people with more than 50 per cent of those finishing placements going back to education or into employment.

The programmes delivered by the collaboration equate to an economic value to the UK of over £1bn[1] over the five-year period, with young people moving into employment no longer claiming benefits, paying tax and spending their pay.

Alok Sharma, Minister of State for Employment, said: “The overall UK employment rate is at an all-time high, with more people in work than ever before, and youth unemployment has almost halved since 2010.  But we cannot be complacent and I am determined to ensure that we make further progress to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to benefit from a stable job.

“The really positive news is that these 80,000 placements have led to tens of thousands of young people getting that opportunity in the work place and I pay tribute to Movement to Work and all the employers involved, who are joining together to deliver the skills set and work prospects which young people want.”

Ivan Menezes, chairman of Movement to Work and chief executive of Diageo, said: “We believe in the potential of all young people and know that by providing placements and other opportunities that lead to meaningful work, we can support young people to fulfil their potential. Meaningful employment is key to their wellbeing, enables them to contribute to their communities and brings prosperity to so many.

“This is not just the right thing to do for young people, it is the right thing to do for business. We are unlocking a pool of talent for our organisations, uncovering a loyal and motivated workforce and increasing current workforce engagement as they mentor these young people to succeed. We know that supporting young people works for them, for employers and broader society. Thankfully our employer members believe this too and have contributed to this incredible figure of 80,000 placements.”

Employers working with MtW have recognised that recruiting in this way makes both ethical and financial sense through lower recruitment costs, the enhanced loyalty of placement graduates, improved morale of existing staff and the ability to build in-house talent through training.

Employer members include Accenture, BAE Systems, Barclays, BT, BUPA, Centrica, the Department for Work and Pensions, Diageo, HSBC, IBM, Marks and Spencer, Marriott International, NHS, Tesco, Unilever and Wates, amongst others.

 

ENDS

 

Further information

David Pincott, PR and Government Relations, Movement to Work,

M: 07866 261198

E: david@movementtowork.com

Movement to Work (www.movementtowork.com)

 UK work-placement charity supports Youth Select Committee’s report into work placements

The Youth Committee’s Report, Realising the Potential of Work Experience, finds that despite work placements providing ambition and career guidance, they are not being provided to many young people

On Wednesday 14th November, the Youth Select Committee will launch its report investigating the barriers faced by young people across the country in accessing quality work experience.

Movement to Work, a collaboration of UK employers committed to tackling youth unemployment through provision of high-quality work experience and other work opportunities for young people (16-24) that are not in education, employment or training (NEET), said that it fully supports the report’s findings.

Over 100 UK employers have signed up to Movement to Work, including the Civil Service and the NHS; FTSE 100 companies such as BT, Centrica, Diageo, HSBC, M&S, Accenture and numerous SMEs. Together, our members have delivered over 75,000 work placements over the last four years.  Of those completing placements, over 50% have achieved a ‘positive outcome’ by going directly into employment, further education or training.

Areas where MtW’s findings particularly concur with the Youth Committee’s include:

• work experience not only benefits individuals, it will also help futureproof the UK’s economy. The UK faces major skills shortages, particularly in STEM, which will be exacerbated by Brexit. Work experience can help to generate interest amongst young people in these careers.
• access to work experience remains patchy and inconsistent. This is particularly true for disadvantaged young people who often don’t have the networks that can provide placements that lead to fulfilling careers and social mobility
• using a proportion of the Apprenticeship Levy to fund schools to fund support and advice on technical placements for young people. Movement to Work wants the Government to make the Levy more flexible so that it can fund pre-apprenticeship and other training so that those who could do great jobs in the future have a chance to build careers too.

James Ashall, chief executive of Movement to Work, said: “The Youth Committee’s report highlights an issue we are trying to address, access to placements that lead to employment. Everyone deserves a chance to get good career, but many young people with significant potential, like those we have already seen gain work placements through Movement to Work, are often left behind as they are stuck in a ‘no job, no experience cycle’ and become virtually invisible to those recruiting.

“We are asking imaginative employers and the Government to put work placements up the agenda to address unemployment and the economy, as well as driving social mobility and diversity in the workplace. It’s actually a relatively simple solution but is overlooked by so many.”

Movement to Work is linked to several partner charities, including The Prince’s Trust, The Change Foundation, Knowledgepool, Street Elite and many others, working with a range of young people who need work experience that will launch them into the workplace.

Organisations wishing to join Movement to Work and commit to work placements and other job opportunities throughout the rest of the year should contact Movement to Work through info@movementtowork.com.

Give all young people the gift of experience this Christmas

Movement to Work, a UK charity that has already enabled over 75,000 work placements which have helped reduce youth unemployment, asks businesses to consider all young people for Christmas jobs

 With the UK’s retail and other sectors gearing up for the Christmas rush, Movement to Work is calling on organisations that employ Christmas workers to consider employing long-term unemployed young people so that they can gain great experience and unlock their potential.

Movement to Work is a collaboration of UK employers committed to tackling youth unemployment through provision of high-quality work experience and other work opportunities for young people that are not in education, employment or training (NEET). More than 75,000 work placements have been completed so far across the UK, with over 50% of those young people progressing into jobs, apprenticeships or returning to education.  

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