November 2011
The Work Debate
This recent debate brought together 100 young
people, employers, decision makers and innovators to create an
important dialogue on the new approaches needed to address youth
unemployment.
In partnership with Young Foundation and supported by Ernst
& Young, this event saw young people driving the agenda by
posing questions to a panel of experts and decision-makers from the
world of enterprise, employment and politics. Panellists included
Zoe Williams, columnist for The Guardian, Tanith Dodge, HR Director
of Marks & Spencer and Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP, Shadow
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
The panel addressed a host of challenging questions from young
people unsure whether education or experience was key to gaining
employment. They also wanted to know what was being done to support
long term unemployed young people to get back into paid work and
how can schools engage more with businesses and industry.
Martin Talbot, Senior Manager for Community Engagement at Ernst
& Young said:
With youth unemployment reaching record highs,
it is more important than ever that young people are part of
creating the solutions that will ensure their generation has the
opportunity to succeed.