Turning Conventional Thinking on Its Head

This morning, I attended the Local Government Conference chaired by the Leader of the Council at London Borough of Merton. Among the speakers was the new Chair of the National LEP Network, who shared fascinating insights into the challenges faced by local and central governments, particularly in planning, housing, education, and employment.

Addressing Youth Unemployment

During the conference, I inquired about strategies to combat youth unemployment, now exceeding one million. The response was clear: educational institutions must better align with local employers’ skills needs. There was a notable case where a new college was built without consulting the region’s largest employer about its skills requirements.

Innovative Solutions for Employment

A compelling proposal was to overhaul our approach to benefits. Rather than providing direct benefits to young people, funds could be reallocated to employers as grants to create job opportunities. This shift would require adjustments in National Insurance. Furthermore, the idea of a national community program was suggested, engaging people of all ages in community improvement tasks.

The Role of Vinspired

Platforms like Vinspired are committed to building young people’s skills for work, fostering entrepreneurship, and expanding social capital. However, the scale of youth unemployment demands a coordinated, innovative response. Turning conventional thinking on its head and A greater focus on entrepreneurship is needed to tackle youth unemployment are some ways forward.

Join us in this conversation and help shape a future where no young person feels hopeless.