Liberal Democrat Conference: Innovating in Youth Employment

Policy Connect will host a fringe event at Liberal Democrat Conference in the Brighton Centre examining the UK’s youth employment challenge.

The event will be chaired by Professor Alison Honour (Vice-Chancellor, Bournemouth University) and include a structured discussion with speakers:

• Steff Aquarone MP
• Max Bishop, Researcher (Education and Skills), Policy Connect
• Lottie Wilson, Chair of English Young Liberals
• Rebecca Montacute, Research Director, Social Market Foundation
• Alison McIntyre, Policy Manager, Youth Futures Foundation
• Hina Bokhari OBE, Liberal Democrat Group Leader for the London Assembly

The discussion will draw on Alan Milburn’s independent review into youth NEET rates and our recent Earning or Learning report, published by the Skills Commission earlier this year.

The panel will explore how government, employers, education providers and the wider skills system can work together to improve routes into education, training and employment for young people, including:

• The barriers preventing economically inactive young people from re-engaging with education, training or employment.
• How local and devolved institutions can strengthen the support available to young people in their communities.
• The role of youth-led organisations and the voluntary sector in shaping employment and skills policy.
• How evidence and lived experience can inform more effective interventions to reduce NEET rates.

For more information about the event, please contact Rhiannon Tuckett-Jones at (Rhiannon.Tuckett-Jones@policyconnect.org.uk)