The urgency of improving employment outcomes for young people has rarely been clearer.

Just days before the Society of Merchant Venturers (SMV) hosted its latest Next Generation Employment event at Merchants’ Hall, the Government-commissioned Young People and Work Review highlighted the scale of the challenge facing the UK.

Nearly one million young people aged 16–24 are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), with warnings that the number could rise further without coordinated action. The review describes a growing risk of a “lost generation”, with six in ten young people who are NEET having never had a job and many facing increasingly complex barriers to entering the workplace.

Against this backdrop, leaders from business, education, local government, youth organisations and the voluntary sector gathered at Merchants’ Hall last night for an action-oriented event: Next Generation Employment: Building a Connected Ecosystem.

Building on the momentum created by last summer’s launch event, this latest chapter focused on a crucial question: How can Bristol better connect its people, organisations and initiatives to create clearer pathways into employment for young people?

The more than 80-strong audience reflected the breadth of commitment that already exists across the city and region, with representatives from organisations including Babbasa, Ablaze, Youth Moves, Young Bristol, Empire Fighting Chance, Bristol City Council, the University of Bristol, City of Bristol College, Bristol Airport, Bristol Beacon, Bristol Old Vic, Lloyds Bank, TLT, Osborne Clarke, Deloitte, NatWest Group, British Business Bank and many others.

The evening opened with a welcome from Tracey Killen, Chair of SMV’s Youth Committee, who encouraged attendees to move beyond discussion and consider the role they, and their organisations, can play in creating meaningful change.

Guests heard keynote contributions from Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, and Sir Charlie Mayfield, former Chair of the John Lewis Partnership and author of the UK Government’s Keep Britain Working white paper (January 2025).

Helen spoke about the growing challenge of young people becoming detached from the labour market and the persistent inequalities that continue to limit opportunity for too many. Reflecting on the findings of the Young People and Work Review, she described the report as a powerful call to action for leaders across all sectors and urged those present to think boldly about what could be achieved through greater collaboration.

She emphasised the importance of ensuring that pathways into education, training and employment are visible, accessible and attainable for every young person, regardless of background or ability, and challenged organisations to consider how they could play a more active role in opening doors and creating opportunities.

“Young people need to know their value to the future of not only the region, but the country.” – Helen Godwin

Drawing on the findings of the Review, Sir Charlie highlighted the need for a more joined-up approach that recognises the interconnected challenges facing young people and creates clearer pathways into work. He challenged attendees to consider what more employers could do to address the problem.

He also reflected on his visit earlier in the day to 224 Youth Zone, accompanied by SMV member Heather Frankham DL, Chair of Trustees. Charlie pointed to the importance of both people and places in tackling the issue. Rooted in South Bristol, 224 has been co-created by local young people and supported by a range of committed partners.

“Engaging and mobilising people at a local level is absolutely crucial.” – Sir Charlie Mayfield

Attendees were encouraged to consider how employers could build stronger relationships with young people, and the vital role that schools, colleges and youth organisations play in creating those connections.

Breakout discussions focused on two key questions:

• What could each of us do to better support the young people we are talking about?
• How can employers, community organisations and educational institutions strengthen their relationships and ways of working to support more young people into meaningful employment?

Conversations explored the importance of every young person having a trusted adult – someone who can provide support and encouragement while also helping to unlock opportunities, networks and experiences that can lead to a first job.

Questions ranged from “where do we start?” and “where does leadership come from?” to “which approaches are most effective?”

The discussion continued with a panel chaired by Sir Charlie, bringing together Carmen Peacock, South West Chair of the CBI; Julia Gray, Principal and CEO of City of Bristol College; and Andy Bamford, Founder and Chief Executive of PointZeroGroup and Board Adviser to Making the Leap.

Andy urged every organisation and employer present to tell young people that they have something to offer: “Many young people have never been given that message, and building their confidence is hugely important.” He added:

“If you’re an employer who can offer something to young people, raise the bar beyond providing interview practice or help writing a CV – provide a real job opportunity and create the environment for that young person to thrive.”

The panellists agreed that many of the ingredients for success already exist. The challenge is bringing them together in a way that is coordinated, consistent and sustainable over time.

Their discussion reinforced a shared message: Bristol is rich in organisations committed to supporting young people, but achieving lasting impact will require stronger alignment, deeper relationships and sustained collaboration across sectors.

Hannah Woodhouse, Executive Director of the Children and Education Directorate for Bristol City Council, reminded attendees that the challenge does not begin when a young person reaches 16. “It starts even before birth,” she said, explaining how inequalities emerge early, widen through primary school and often accelerate during secondary education.

She added: “The Report highlights a significant challenge and it’s encouraging that tonight we have an event packed with people who are invested in young people and their futures. We must be positive and optimistic about the way forward.”

Throughout the evening, a common theme emerged: no single organisation can solve this challenge alone. Sir Charlie urged attendees not to stand back and wait for someone else to find the answer: “Raise the ambition level; and start right now.”

For SMV, this reflects the principle of collective impact – bringing together organisations, expertise and resources to tackle complex social challenges. The scale of the NEET challenge demands exactly this approach.

The event sought not simply to raise awareness, but to build momentum for a city-wide coalition of organisations and individuals committed to improving outcomes for young people. By listening, connecting, reflecting and identifying the role each of us can play, attendees took another important step towards building a more connected employment ecosystem for Bristol.

The challenge is urgent. But the opportunity is significant, and tonight’s event demonstrated that Bristol has the expertise, commitment and ambition needed to create change. The future of our young people, and of our city, depends on our willingness to act together.

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