WorldSkills UK (the education and skills charity) and Youth Employment UK are delighted to announce their formal partnership to champion the voices of young people around apprenticeships, skills, education and employment.
The announcement comes as the CBI* released research which confirmed that half of young people feel their education has not prepared them for the world of work. Their concerns are set against a backdrop of a post-Brexit imperative to develop more home-grown skills and the need to ensure more young people take up an apprenticeship. Working to change this disconnect, WorldSkills UK and Youth Employment UK will work together to champion effective youth employment practices and skills development with employers, providing young people, from all backgrounds, with a stronger voice.
Dr Neil Bentley, CEO of WorldSkills UK, said: “We are excited to be working more closely with Youth Employment UK who have a fantastic track record. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to amplify the views of young people as we look to a future where the skills and employment of young people is becoming more and more important.
“Our research shows that employers need to need to engage with more young people to harness their drives and motivations if the UK is to thrive economically post Brexit, and together with Youth Employment UK we will help them do this.”
WorldSkills UK and Youth Employment UK have already collaborated on a number of projects for WorldSkills UK LIVE, which took place from 15 – 17 November, including the Youth Summit which saw young people discuss their views on whether they are ready for the change technology will bring to the jobs they will be doing in the future.
Laura-Jane Rawlings, CEO of Youth Employment UK states “We are delighted to be announcing this partnership with WorldSkills UK.
We know that young people are still struggling to access opportunities to explore and experience the world of work. Combining our expertise in youth friendly employment practices and the expertise that WorldSkills UK have in bringing skilled careers to life, we believe that this partnership can help more young people learn about the world of work and access a wider range of quality employment pathways.
The Youth Friendly Employer Award is a kite mark that has been co-created by young people to support and develop employer youth employment practice and we are delighted to be working with WorldSkills UK so we can work together to bridge the disconnect that we still see today between employers and young people. Listening to young people’s voices on the issues of youth employment is at the heart of our work and we would like all those working in the youth employment space to do the same.”
NOTE TO EDITORS:
About WorldSkills UK
WorldSkills UK is a partnership between business, education and governments, focused on changing the national conversation so that apprenticeships and technical education are seen as prestigious career routes for all young people whatever their background, and on a par with university as a route to meaningful careers.
For 65 years WorldSkills UK has been a leading player in WorldSkills International, the global movement that brings 78 countries together in the biennial Skills Olympics. Skills competitions provide a form of accelerated development in which young people achieve greater technical excellence in their skill and develop transferable skills such as resilience, creative thinking, confidence and teamwork.
About Youth Employment UK
Youth Employment UK are the leading voice and expert on youth employment issues in the UK. A not for profit organisation set up in 2012 to reduce youth unemployment and support every young person to progress. Youth Employment UK works with all stakeholders invested in youth employment and champion collaboration; working to engage employers in quality youth friendly practice, provide young people with the tools to explore and develop their skills and career options as well as providing a voice on policy
