In response to the latest ‘State of the Nation’ report by the Social Mobility Commission, we have issued the following statement on how the report provides stark insights into the challenges young people are now facing, exacerbated by the wider economic landscape, cost-of-living, and entrenched regional inequality.
Tokunbo Ajasa-Oluwa, our CEO, said:
Today’s report makes for stark reading about the scale of the social mobility challenge we face. We will fail young people and our future economy if we do not take urgent action and invest in the next generation of talent.
“For many years, too many young people across the UK have faced an uphill struggle because of their background or where they grew up. But as today’s report says, the struggle facing today’s generation is even tougher.
We know from our experience of working with 2,000 young people a year at Career Ready that the cost-of-living crisis, wider economic concerns, and the continued impact of the pandemic have exacerbated the challenges they face in education and employment. Regional inequality is also becoming further entrenched, with growth and early career opportunities centred in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
It is imperative that we – government, policy makers, employers, third sector organisations – take urgent action to help young people overcome these challenges and ensure there’s fair access to opportunities across every region.
Our evidence and experience of working with young people and employers shows that mentoring and paid internships can provide the long-term social mobility boost needed, as well as ensure that employers are connecting with future talent in their local community and giving them the local opportunities to succeed.
Equally, we need to ensure that our approach to social mobility is about creating opportunity for every young person, regardless of where they come from, in a way that reflects their aspirations and circumstances. It’s not just about the traditional route of university and into a graduate scheme
Read the full ‘State of the Nation: People & Places’ here.
For further information or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson please contact tom.rippon@careerready.org.uk, Head of Communications at Career Ready
