Youth Futures Foundation

To mark #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek, Lorraine Lanceley's new blog reflects on the evaluation of ELATT's learner support provision, and how, with the right understanding and support, successful outcomes can be achieved for neurodivergent learners. Read more: https://bit.ly/3FAKtEk

This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we asked the young people in our Future Voices Group about their experiences of being neurodivergent in the workplace. One of our Ambassadors, Roismi, shared: “When my environment is inclusive — when there is structure, clear communication and flexibility — I am empowered and have the ability to thrive. I bring fresh ideas, innovative thinking and a relentless drive to succeed. By embracing neurodiversity, employers unlock the strengths that come with different ways of thinking. Inclusion is not just the right thing to do; it is essential for unlocking innovation and building stronger teams. Neurodiversity should not just be accepted — it should be celebrated. It represents the powerful diversity of human thought, bringing fresh perspectives and unconventional solutions. People with lived experiences of thinking differently are often the most creative, the most determined, and the most resilient. By celebrating neurodiversity, we break away from outdated ideas that differences are deficits. Instead, we create a world that values the strength, insight and brilliance that neurodivergent individuals bring — and that benefits everyone.” Learn more about our New Future Voices Group Ambassadors: https://ow.ly/hTQi50VkeVj #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #NeurodiversityWeek

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. 48% of young people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds face discrimination when seeking work. Our Talent Unlocked Partnership with Business in the Community focuses on the role of businesses to inspire, hire, and support ethnically diverse young people to thrive at work. Find out more in this blog from Sandra Kerr, BITC's Race Director, or head to our website: https://lnkd.in/epCav_kt

Following the Government's announcement on the Keep Britain Working Review, our CEO Barry Fletcher, comments: "The Keep Britain Working Review, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, highlights the increasing challenges young people living with ill-health and disabilities face in accessing and staying in work.     "Mental ill-health is a key driver of the growing increase in young people not in education, employment or training – which is currently, one in eight, the highest in a decade. "Our Youth Employment 2024 Outlook report found that 85% of young people with a mental health condition said it affected their ability to either find work, or to function in a professional environment. Nearly a third of young people also believe that poor mental health is a significant barrier to entering the world of work.     "Young people, particularly those with disabilities or health conditions, need specialist, tailored support to access and remain in work and we welcome the Review’s collaborative approach and its commitment to evidence-based solutions.     "As the What Works Centre for youth employment, we are testing a range of employer interventions to identify what works to recruit and retain those furthest from the labour market, including disabled young people and those living with ill-health. We will continue working with Government, employers, the Review, and young people themselves, to drive the systemic change needed to support them to access and remain in good work, backed by the evidence."

Do you want to help influence employer behaviour and practice to support more young people into employment? 💡   We are currently hiring for two new roles:       ➡️ Senior Employer Engagement & Partnerships Manager    ➡️ Senior Project Officer    Learn more about the roles and how to apply:    https://lnkd.in/e2JipshP     📅 Deadlines: 3 April 2025 

🔊Dr Andrea Barry, Principal Economist, Youth Futures Foundation, comments on today's labour market stats from the Office for National Statistics:   “Today’s job data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that both the unemployment and economic inactivity figures for those not in full time education has risen notably since this time last year, from 11% to 13%, and 19.2% to 20.8%, respectively. “The ongoing labour market challenges means increasing numbers of young people are experiencing the scarring effects of unemployment, which will continue to have troubling effects on their future prospects, as well as the economy. “The Government has put the Youth Guarantee at the heart of its employment support offer for young people, reiterated in this week’s Pathways to Work Green Paper. Its success will be vital if we are to meaningfully address this challenge.  “We know from international evidence in our Youth Employment Toolkit that apprenticeships in particular are an impactful way to support marginalised young people to access jobs, yet we have seen falling participation amongst under 25s in recent years. Rebalancing the apprenticeship system towards creating more opportunities for young people is therefore an essential part of the public policy solution. “As the What Works Centre for youth employment, we will continue to work closely with Government, employers and others to bring about the systems change needed for more young people to access and be in good work, backed by the evidence.” Visit our Data Dashboard for the latest youth employment data ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eYdXxzJ2

We're delighted to be sponsoring the Apprenticeship Branding Conference at Millennium Point Birmingham on Thursday 3 April, delivered in partnership with our friends at the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance. The event will bring together industry leaders, apprenticeship providers, and employers to explore innovative strategies for the future of apprenticeships. Looking forward to a day of discussions on widening apprenticeship opportunities and access. We'll be delivering a session with an exclusive and diverse panel of experts, including a young apprentice, sharing recommendations for employers to break down barriers and create meaningful apprenticeship and employment opportunities for marginalised young people. Hope to see you there! Tickets still available: https://ow.ly/wiSU50VkfI7 #ApprenticeshipBrandingConference #Apprenticeships

It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week. To challenge misconceptions and help transform how neurodiversity is understood in the workplace, we spoke to young people about their experiences. Chelsea, one of our Future Voices Ambassadors, said: “Having dyslexia means I process written information differently, which can make reading and writing take a bit longer. But it also means I often approach problems from a different angle, offering creative ideas and solutions that bring fresh perspectives to the table. In a work environment that is not only supportive but also accommodates our needs, we can stand on an equal footing with others, contributing our ideas and perspectives without barriers. Neurodiversity should be celebrated because I think it's a superpower, challenging traditional ways of thinking, working, and viewing the world. Recognising and valuing neurodivergence enriches communities and workspaces only driving progression and innovation.” Find out more about our New Future Voices Group Ambassadors: https://ow.ly/MQtU50Vke5N #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #NeurodiversityWeek

Our CEO, Barry Fletcher, has responded to the publication of Government’s Pathways to Work Green Paper.   Read the full response ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eXYCrTQZ 

𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙙 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙑𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥! 💫   We will be joined by 15 young people from diverse and intersectional backgrounds across England, all of whom have faced barriers to employment, to help us in our mission to transform the youth employment system.    Working closely within our Policy and External Affairs, Employer Engagement, and Impact and Evidence directorates, these young people will play an integral role in ensuring young people’s experience and expertise continue to be embedded into our work.   Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e_vdsdX9