Teesside University supports regional effort to help young people access education, employment and training

Teesside University welcomed more than 70 educators and practitioners to a major regional conference focused on supporting the growing number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).

The Government’s Young People and Work: Interim Report, authored by former MP for Darlington and Government minister Rt Hon Alan Milburn, revealed that more than one million young people aged 16 to 24 years in the UK are estimated to be out of employment, education or training.

It calls for co-ordinated action, which Teesside University supported through the Unlocking Potential: Education, Employment & Engagement Conference.

Delivered in partnership with the Tees Valley Combined Authority and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, and sponsored by the North East Uni Connect Programme, the conference explored how professionals who work directly with young people furthest from education and employment can better engage, support and empower them.

Through a series of discussions, workshops and keynote sessions, attendees examined the barriers faced by young people and shared practical, evidence-based approaches to build confidence, raise aspirations and support positive pathways into education, training and work.

Engagement specialist and keynote speaker Kheron Gilpin said: “Events like Unlocking Potential are super important simply because a rising tide floats all boats.

“The more empowered our practitioners are, the more empowered our facilitators are, the more inspired our outreach teams are, the more young people are going to be impacted positively and change their lives for the better.”

Employment support charity Tandem, which offers personal development training and qualifications, supports with CVs and interview skills, and provides opportunities to build the confidence and resilience needed to move into the workplace, was represented at the conference.

Mike Renton, Chief Executive Officer of Tandem, said: “We are all facing the same problems and as organisations we are all doing very similar work. All the organisations work really well together. We all need to be around the table discussing the problem.”

Councillor Lisa Evans, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: “It was fantastic to see different partners come together for this conference as we know the importance of working collaboratively to help achieve the best employment opportunities for young people in our area.

“Of course, there’s lots of brilliant work going on already, such as the Youth Trailblazer scheme run in partnership with Tees Valley Combined Authority, which has provided some really exciting work placements across a range of sectors for young people aged 18-21. If anyone in Stockton-on-Tees is looking for further support getting into employment, then I recommend they visit our Employment and Training Hub on Wellington Square for a range of help and guidance.”

The Unlocking Potential: Education, Employment & Engagement Conference reinforced Teesside University’s commitment to widening access and helping people achieve their potential.

It came shortly after Teesside University invited 25 people who are NEET from across the Tees Valley to campus to discover progression pathways in the healthcare and digital sectors.

Professor Mark Simpson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teesside University, said: "The Young People and Work: Interim Report calls for co-ordinated action to support the one in eight young people who are NEET, and this conference is a powerful example of our collaborative response in practice.

"The event brought a range of experts together, highlighting our shared commitment to ensuring young people who feel disconnected from education or employment are not left behind.

"We know there is enormous, untapped potential across our region, and it is our collective responsibility to create opportunities for that to be recognised and nurtured.

“By aligning our efforts, we can break down barriers and ensure that every young person has access to the support they need to move forward with confidence.”

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