We Joined the WMCA's Careers Hub Conference to Discuss Supporting Young People

We joined the West Midlands Combined Authority for their Careers Hub Conference, which brought together educators, training providers, and employers for a focused day of collaboration and learning. The event, hosted at Villa Park, aimed to support educators in delivering more meaningful work experience opportunities and employer encounters for young people.

Attendees explored practical strategies to strengthen the connection between education and employment, with a strong emphasis on improving how organisations engage with schools. The conference provided a valuable space for sharing ideas, reflecting on current approaches, and identifying new ways to make careers education more impactful.

One of the key takeaways was the importance of relatability when engaging with young people. Involving apprentices more directly in outreach activity was highlighted as a particularly effective approach. Apprentices can offer authentic, accessible insights into career pathways, helping students to better imagine their own futures in the workplace.

The event also reinforced the importance of aligning job roles with academic subjects. Moving beyond traditional activities such as mock interviews, there was a clear call for employers to take a more integrated approach including contributing directly to classroom learning. For example, roles in social value are closely linked to subjects like citizenship, offering a practical way to demonstrate how academic learning can translate into real-world careers.

Thank you to the West Midlands Combined Authority for hosting this insightful event and facilitating meaningful discussion between educators, training providers and employers!