Unlocking Skilled Careers: How Employers Are Building Pathways for Youth

Youth Employment Week highlights the critical role employers play in creating pathways for young people into skilled careers. In a special feature, Alison Morris of Skills Federation brings together Adrian Wookey (ECITB) and Justine Fosh (Cogent Skills) to discuss opportunities, barriers, and inclusive strategies.

The Challenge: Awareness

Many young people are unaware of careers in engineering construction and science industries. Adrian notes that 40,000 extra workers may be needed by 2030 in engineering construction, while Justine's "Not Just Lab Coats" platform reached 80,000 people, showing interest exists but awareness lags.

Initiatives That Work

• Pre-apprenticeship schemes: ECITB's Scholarship programme offers school leavers industrial skills and work experience.
• Apprenticeship consortia: Cogent brought together 23 small employers to train 380 apprentices over 10 years, with better-prepared apprentices and faster employer impact.
• Work Ready Programme: Supports long-term unemployed, ex-offenders, and neurodivergent individuals into meaningful work.

Inclusive Pathways

Employers are moving beyond traditional recruitment. Engineering roles often suit neurodivergent strengths (structure, problem-solving). Cogent's employment services provide tailored support, with 10% of students having medical disclosures. Direct employment of apprentices with host employers offers a supported pathway.

The Role of Sector Skills Bodies

These bodies bridge education and employment, ensuring training meets employer needs. They also promote vocational routes as valuable, not a consolation prize.

One Change for the System

• Adrian: Align the system with employer demand and engage parents/careers advisers. Embed equity, diversity, and inclusion in workforce development.
• Justine: Simplify the system with a single, stable front door for employer engagement to reduce friction.

Optimism for the Future

Both leaders are optimistic: young people are adaptable, purposeful, and eager to work on meaningful challenges like clean energy. With more routes into skilled careers and employers valuing potential, the next generation is poised to thrive.