Dr Mohammed Ali OBE
Alan Milburn’s recent report warning that “we are at risk of a lost generation” with young adults facing a “perfect storm” of challenges, shocked many people.
The phrase “lost generation” is synonymous with the horrors of the First World War, so to see it being attributed to young people today in this country, is deeply troubling. But I can’t say I’m surprised. Not that I believe Mr Milburn is wrong or exaggerating the situation. Far from it.
For the past 36 years, QED Foundation – the charity I set up – has helped ethnically diverse young people find employment, start businesses and build skills for a rapidly changing labour market. As a small, Bradford-based organisation with deep community roots, we have seen first-hand how young people from disadvantaged and ethnically diverse backgrounds can be left behind without targeted support, employer engagement and practical routes into work.
The headline figure from Mr Milburn’s stark review is that around one million young people aged between 16 and 24 are not in education, employment or training, otherwise known as Neet. Not only that, but job and career opportunities for young people are shrinking, with one in six set to be in this category in five years unless action is taken.
I’m concerned, too, that a significant proportion of the UK’s Neet population – an estimated 300,000 – come from ethnically diverse communities, and my fear is this figure will only increase unless we tackle the underlying causes. Certain groups appear to be especially affected, including young people of Pakistani heritage. This is not only an employment challenge, but also a social cohesion, equality and economic prosperity challenge for Britain.
At QED Foundation we’re constantly looking at ways of supporting young people. Last year we helped 100 people aged between 18 and 30 from the Bradford district in our Youth Employment Mentoring Programme. This involved devising a personalised plan for each person and introducing them to a mentor in their local community who gave them one-to-one advice and encouragement.
We also ran workshops offering advice on how to prepare for job interviews, equipping them with skills they can use in the future. Thirty young people got jobs on the back of this which is good news but also highlights the scale of the task we are facing.
I believe young adults today face more challenges than any other generation in my lifetime. Yes, there are practical steps they can take. They can contact their local Jobcentre Plus for advice on jobs, training and support programmes, and they can speak to their school, college or local careers service, or connect with community organisations that support young people into work.
However, we shouldn’t underestimate how difficult it is for young people, including countless graduates, to get a foot on the jobs ladder. I’ve heard so many stories of bright individuals applying for hundreds of jobs only to be rejected time and again because the competition is so fierce for those roles that are available. This knocks their self-confidence and the longer it goes on the more they start asking themselves ‘what’s the point?’ – which is heartbreaking.
Young people do not lack ambition. Too often, though, they lack access to networks, role models, practical guidance and the confidence that comes from knowing someone believes in their potential.
This is a national challenge but also an opportunity for business leaders to step up to the plate. That is why I am calling on as many ethnically diverse business owners, entrepreneurs and senior leaders as possible to mentor two young people over the next 12 months. The idea is they will help inspire young people to see a future in work, enterprise or further education, which could make a life-changing difference.
I’ve also written to Marc Bolland, former chief executive of Marks & Spencer, who has been tasked by the government with getting more young people into work. QED has a lot of experience and contacts in this area, and if we can help him bring business leaders together to expand opportunities for young people then we will happily do so.
The time has come for a big and bold approach. I’ve seen how mentoring, encouragement and access to opportunity can transform lives. It’s vital that the young people Alan Milburn talks about don’t become a lost generation, because with the right support, they can become the next generation of workers, entrepreneurs, innovators and community leaders.
We have to get this right for the sake of our young people whose futures now hang in the balance. We owe them nothing less.
Dr Mohammed Ali OBE is the founder and chief executive of QED Foundation, a national charity that helps transform people’s lives and promote social and economic advancement.
