youth employability awards

2024

Each year, we hold this special event to highlight individuals and organisations across the network who have been particularly extraordinary in their efforts to help young people into work. We also shine a light on some of the extraordinary young people who are overcoming barriers to work and reminding us of the true impact of our efforts. We hope it will serve as a fun and inspiring evening to celebrate all that has been achieved in our 11th year. 

The Youth Employability Awards is an event for people aged 18 and over only.

Getting Nominated

Please review the categories below and use the form at the bottom of this page to tell us about the people you’ve worked with this year who inspired you the most. Please note our nominations deadline is Friday 15 March 2024.

Award Categories 

Employer of the Year

Employer of the Year

An organisation affiliated with Movement to Work which has had a significant impact on young people in the UK. This can be evidenced in different ways, for example, they have delivered an impressive number of placements. It can also recognise an organisation that is committed to driving positive change for young people.

Assessment criteria
Judges will be looking for evidence of…

  • The measures taken reach those furthest from the job market.
  • Size of impact in relation to size of employer, e.g. the amount of young people helped is significant, taking into account the size of the organisation.
  • The placements are strategically planned, so that they form a critical element of the company’s recruitment and diversity drive e.g. positive recruitment and retention rates. 
Mentor of the Year

Mentor of the Year

An individual who has gone above and beyond in making a difference to the experience that young people have had on a Movement to Work programme.

Assessment criteria
Judges will be looking for evidence of…

  • The individual was instrumental in the delivery of a MtW programme.
  • The individual has helped young people make the most of their opportunities.
  • The individual has gone above and beyond their day job to make a difference.
Partner of the Year

Partner of the Year

A charity, youth engagement or training partner that has made a real difference through partnership, targeted outreach or support. This charity, youth engagement or training partner must show evidence of how their approach has positively impacted young people in their journey to work. In addition, how that partner has supported employers to successfully deliver their employability programmes.

Assessment criteria
Judges will be looking for evidence of…

  • Innovation around finding solutions to challenges faced by young people in their journey into work, and/or the barriers facing young people in the post-pandemic environment. 
  • Demonstrating commitment to delivering positive outcomes.
  • How that partner has worked collaboratively with employers to deliver impactful programmes and achieve a sustainable pipeline of youth talent.
Individual Impact Award 

Individual Impact Award 

An individual who has shown outstanding commitment and contribution to Movement to Work through their organisation and beyond, championing and supporting young people on their employment journey. This could be an employer or a partner.

Assessment criteria
Judges will be looking for evidence of…

  • The individual’s resilience and commitment to supporting young people and delivering quality opportunities.
  • The individual’s impact on their organisation, where they have gone above and beyond their day-to-day role to contribute to supporting young people on their employment journey, e.g. they have taken on extra responsibility, created and delivered a new process/scheme.
  • The individual’s impact on young people.
Breakthrough Star Award

Breakthrough Star Award

A recent (up to 12 months) graduate from a Movement to Work programme who has shown great potential at the start of their career journey.

Assessment criteria
Judges will be looking for evidence of…

  • That the individual has overcome difficult barriers to work.
  • The individual’s commitment to their role and organisation.
  • Personal and professional growth.
Rising Star Award

Rising Star Award

An individual who graduated 12+ months from a Movement to Work programme that has made a real difference within their organisation or gone on to make a positive impact.

Assessment criteria
Judges will be looking for evidence of…

  • That the individual has overcome difficult barriers to work.
  • The individual’s impact on their role and organisation.
  • The individual’s extracurricular contribution (above and beyond their day-to-day role).
Innovator of the Year Award

Innovator of the Year Award

An employer, partner, group or individual, connected to Movement to Work, who has taken creative measures which have made a significant impact on removing barriers to work. Whereas other awards may focus on scale of impact, this award focuses on the power of innovation: what new ideas and unique approaches have been applied to helping more #YoungPeopleWork between 2023-2024 i.e. digital adaptation, virtual programmes, recruitment strategies.

Assessment criteria
Judges will be looking for evidence of…

  • True innovation/changes to adapt to challenges facing youth employment in the post pandemic environment.
  • How this innovation has made a significant impact on removing barriers to work.
  • How this innovation paves the way for wider change across the industry.
Best Newcomer

BEST NEWCOMER

This award will recognise employers and partners that have recently become affiliated with Movement to Work i.e. (between January 2023 to date) and have shown significant commitment to our aims and objectives.

Assessment criteria 
Judges will be looking for evidence of…

  • Forthcoming with innovative ideas with regards to youth employability programmes and promoting best practice
  • Has set up programme/s at pace to drive positive impact and outcomes for young people
  • Proactive in trying to understand and grow what Movement to Work does and their role within it
  • Shows a keen interest in supporting and progressing the Movement’s mission (i.e. attending MtW meeting and events, inclusion of MtW in brand communications etc.)

Nominations are now open

Please use the form below to tell us about the people you’ve worked with this year who have inspired you through their commitment to helping young people into employment. 

  • We will accept supporting evidence, e.g. photos or a video explaining the nominee’s impact and how they have fulfilled the award’s assessment criteria. However, please note that our assessment of the nomination will primarily be focused on the 500-word submission in the text box below, and how this demonstrates that the nominee fulfills the award’s assessment criteria. 
  • We are happy to accept self-nominations, all we need is evidence and a supporting reference. 
  • Please submit one form per nomination. 
  • If you wish to nominate someone for more than one award, please fill out a form for each category.  

Please complete the form below by Friday 15 March 2024.

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All entries must be submitted by Friday 15 March 2024.

What happens next?

Movement to Work will compile a shortlist which will be judged by our youth ambassadors and trusted partners in March. If you are successful at this stage you will be notified, with final winners announced at the Movement to Work Youth Employability Awards on Monday 15th April 2024. 

Need some inspiration? Check out what our previous award winners had to say here

For more information about the awards, please email us on events@movementtowork.com

GOOD LUCK AND SEE YOU THERE!