June 19, 2024

Business leaders convene in Manchester to understand how they can tackle low social mobility across the UK

Business leaders from across the UK visit Manchester to understand the barriers to employment facing young people from low socio-economic backgrounds.
The visit comes as research shows that the rate of apprenticeship starts in Greater Manchester decreased by over 50% between 2018/19 and 2023/24.
The visit was led by Steven Cooper CBE, Chief Executive of Aldermore Group.

Business in the Community (BITC), The Prince’s Responsible Business Network, brought C-suite business leaders to Manchester, under the leadership of Steven Cooper CBE, Chief Executive of Aldermore Group, to understand the challenges faced by those living in the city, leading to low social mobility and a decrease in apprenticeship starts in the last decade. Business leaders came together to discuss how business can take action to address these challenges and make meaningful long-term impact across the UK.

The visit comes as research shows that the rate of apprenticeship starts in Greater Manchester decreased by over 50% between 2018/19 and 2023/24.^[2] Research also shows that apprenticeship starts in England fell by a third in the decade between 2012/13 and 2022/23, from 510,000 to 337,100.^[3]In addition, 5.6% of 16 to 17 year olds in Manchester are not in employment, education, or training (NEET) – 0.4 percentage points higher than the rate in England and 0.3 percentage points higher than the average rate in the North West.^[4]

Business leaders visited the HideOut Youth Zone, which provides a safe space for over 6,000 young people from a diverse range of backgrounds in Manchester to develop new skills and meet new people. Business leaders also visited the Factory Academy, which provides training and apprenticeships for people looking to start their careers in the creative and cultural industries, with an overall aim to diversify the people working in those industries. Business leaders also heard from the Aldermore Group and Co-op about the apprenticeship programmes they offer and how businesses across the UK can support more young people through apprenticeships.

The visit was attended by C-suite business leaders from a range of companies, including Henry Boot Developments, Deloitte LLP, Worldline IT Services UK, Schroders, Co-op, Experian and Danske Bank.

Steven Cooper CBE, Chief Executive of Aldermore Group, said:

“We heard today the stark reality of the barriers many young people face when trying to find work. Employers have a responsibility to address these challenges by giving young people the start they need in life to reach their full potential. Supporting young people to learn new skills through training and apprenticeships and remove unnecessary recruitment practices will help employers to close the skills gap, fill job vacancies, and create a talented workforce for the future.”

Mary Macleod, Chief Executive of Business in the Community, said:

“Every child and every young person deserves a clear pathway into work. By working to upskill young people, business leaders are giving the leaders and innovators of the future the keys to success. Today’s Seeing is Believing visit to Manchester allowed business leaders to see the positive outcomes of what happens when they work to bridge the gap between employers and young people. By working together with community organisations that help to upskill young people, businesses will not only be helping young people develop the skills they need for the future, but will also reap the benefits for many years to come.”

The Seeing is Believing programme was established by the then Prince of Wales in 1990. The programme, supported by Salesforce and Linklaters LLP, was born from a simple but powerful belief that the best way to close the gap between the boardroom and the community was to take business leaders out to the communities and, through the power of experiential learning, to inspire and challenge participants. The visits are designed to encourage business leaders to think strategically about the implications for their own businesses and the practical actions that can be taken in response, leading to meaningful and sustained impact for both businesses and communities. To date, over 25,000 business leaders have taken part in the Seeing is Believing programme which has led to various initiatives being set up including Career Ready, Ban the Box and mentoring circles in collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions. 

ENDS  

Notes to editor 

Business leaders convene in Manchester to understand how they can tackle low social mobility across the UK

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