Creating the conditions for North East talent to thrive

Alan Milburn recently published the interim findings of his independent review into young people and work.

At its heart was a stark reminder that almost one million young people across the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

It is a challenge that demands attention from us all.

The final recommendations are expected later this year and, ahead of publication, I spoke with early career professionals, part of the Chamber's Future Leaders programme, to understand what they would like to see included from a North East perspective.

Too often, discussions about young people who are NEET focus on deficits.

While the term may help policymakers understand the scale of the challenge, it can also reduce young people to a label.

We hear stereotypes about a lack of resilience, motivation or ambition, yet the reflections I heard painted a very different picture.

These were thoughtful, engaged and ambitious young people, who care deeply about their communities and want to help shape the future of the North East.

That matters because the North East has a unique perspective to offer.

We know that talent is spread equally, but opportunity is not.

We also know that when employers, educators, public services and communities work together, they can help remove the barriers that hold people back.

The challenges highlighted by our future leaders ranged from transport and financial pressures to health and wellbeing, and caring responsibilities.

Importantly, these barriers rarely exist in isolation.

Their message was clear: young people do not experience life in silos, so our solutions cannot sit in silos either.

Better outcomes will only come from collaboration across government, local authorities, education providers, the voluntary sector and employers, recognising that education, health, employment and financial wellbeing are deeply connected.

Businesses have a particularly important role to play.

Increasingly, employers see themselves as part of the civic fabric of society, recognising that strong communities and a strong economy go hand-in-hand.

Across the North East, many employers are already investing in apprenticeships, mentoring, work experience and early careers programmes, helping young people access opportunities while building the workforce of the future.

The young people I spoke with want to see more of this: stronger links between education and industry, meaningful work experience, paid internships, greater visibility of different career pathways and accessible opportunities for all.

If there is one message from the North East in response to the Milburn Review, it is this: back locally led, collaborative solutions.

Invest in partnerships between employers, education providers, charities, health services and local government.

Fund what works, support early intervention and ensure young people have a seat at the table when decisions about their futures are being made.

The talent is already here.

Our collective responsibility is to create the conditions for that talent to thrive.

Jessie Kelly-Baxter is policy manager at the North East Chamber of Commerce

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