Helping young people today be tomorrow’s workplace talent.

Like-minded changemakers from business, education and youth organisations across the city came together for a panel and networking event held at Merchants’ Hall. The event aimed to explore how to create a fertile ecosystem that supports young people to prepare for, identify and grasp employment opportunities that can too often feel out of reach.

Chaired by Tracey Killen and Heather Frankham, the conversation sparked a myriad of insights around the challenges faced by young people and businesses in accessing and creating entry-level ‘springboard’ opportunities.

Thank you to our inspiring panellists who shared insights from working directly with young people and building programmes that connect ambition with opportunity.

• Jamie Masraff, CEO of OnSide Youth Zones
• Will Crameri, Trustee at Ablaze
• Camilla Chandler-Mant, CEO of South Bristol Youth
• Poku Osei, Founder and CEO of Babbasa
• Peter Munn, Temple Quarter Project Manager for Sir Robert McAlpine
• Jamie Cameron, Director and Head of Community Engagement at Burges Salmon and Chair of Young Bristol.

Throughout the evening, a number of key takeaways emerged:

• Young people have the talent, ambition and qualifications – but often need support to build confidence and develop soft skills.
• Employability essentials: communication, teamwork, business exposure, mentors and support networks are vital.
• Ambition does not equal opportunity – ambition abounds, but the opportunities are increasingly hard to find.
• Youth spaces matter – with 85% of waking hours spent outside school, youth zones and centres provide critical pathways.
• Youth workers play a key role guiding young people toward meaningful employment.
• In Bristol, over 10,000 young people are not in education, employment or training – a major loss of potential.
• Employers can help bridge the double skills gap – life skills and technical skills – by partnering with youth organisations.
• Experiential learning is powerful: hands-on exposure helps young people envision success.
• Apprenticeships and placements benefit both youth and business – but stronger government incentives are needed.
• Representation matters – visible role models make a real difference.

Why this matters…

When businesses and youth organisations unite, they create a golden thread: pastoral support alongside real-world experience. This connection doesn’t just create the foothold – it transforms futures and revitalises our city’s social and economic health.

Everyone present shared a determination to keep the momentum going and to continue identifying impactful ways of helping young people to build confidence and gain access to the high-quality opportunities they deserve.