Implementing the Youth Contract: New Initiatives to Build Youth Employment

The Context:

In November the Government accepted the urgent need for proactive measures to boost youth employment by pledging £1bn in package termed the ‘Youth Contract.’ Amongst the aims will be to create 160,000 six month job opportunities for 16-24 year olds over the next three years. The scheme will provide financial incentives to employers and will be administered through the flagship Work Programme. But with the exact nature of funding for the Youth Contract still unclear, and the national jobs market stagnating, what will the Youth Contract really mean for jobseekers, service providers, and employers?

The Event:

This Westminster Briefing Conference will give delegates from all sectors an opportunity to discuss and be informed on the next stages of practical implementation of the Youth Contract, and how this can best be delivered by all stakeholders. The conference will investigate themes of funding, partnership working, the role of employers, and how job placements can be transferred onto meaningful and sustainable employment in the long term. Delegates will hear from expert speakers both from within Government and from the wider welfare to work and youth services sectors.

Confirmed Speakers Include:

• Keynote - Martin Betts, Labour Market Interventions, Strategy Division, DWP
• Mike Cherry, Policy Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses
• David MacDougall, Head of Policy & Research and Youth Contract Lead, Avanta
• Paul Bivand, Associate Director of Analysis and Statistics, Centre for Enconomic and Social Inclusion
• Graham Hoyle, Chief Executive, Association of Employment and Learning Providers
• Gerwyn Davies, Labour Market Advisor, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
• Maeve McGoldrick, Campaigns Coordinator, Community Links
• Ginny Lunn, Director of Policy & Strategy, The Prince's Trust
• Roger Cotes, Policy Lead, Apprenticeship Grant for Employers, Joint DfE/BIS Apprenticeships Unit
• Kirsty McHugh, Chief Executive, Employment Related Services Association (Event Chair)

The Issues:

During the day, delegates will look at key issues including:

• What is the detail of Government policy to reduce youth unemployment?
• How will the funding for the Youth Contract be structured?
  
• How will administration of the Youth Contract fit into the existing structures of the Work Programme?
• How to engage employers into the Youth Contract and ensure job placements are used productively?
• How to ensure ongoing employment support throughout the six month period?
• How will the Youth Contract be linked to local economic growth initiatives?
• What role will local authorities and Jobcentre Plus play in the new programme?
• How will the Youth Contract interlink with existing Government plans around building the status and availability of apprenticeships?
• What additional help will be offered for the most disadvantaged young people?
• How to ensure the necessary local partnership working to deliver responsive and coordinated services?
  

Who Should Attend?

Delegates will be drawn from local authorities, skills and training providers, apprenticeship programmes, local, Work Programme providers, education authorities and schools, further education institutions (universities and colleges), Jobcentre Plus, LSPs, central government departments & bodies, regional development agencies, BME representatives, probationary officers, employers, social enterprise and academia.

Morning refreshments will be served upon arrival with a networking lunch and afternoon tea to follow. Any special needs or dietary requirements should be notified to us upon booking.