The Future for Work: The Student Voice

120 Students from over 40 Universities, Schools and Colleges; Careers Advisors from 28 Universities and 30 Employers came together on 18th April at Aston Villa Football stadium for the Bright Futures Employability Conference – ‘The Future for Work: The Student Voice’.

EMPLOYABILITY REPORT 2013 - DOWNLOAD NOW!

We have seen huge economic and social challenges facing students and graduates throughout the UK, with witness to the highest figures for youth unemployment on record. There are many organisations out there attempting to address these issues, but on Thursday 18^th April at Aston Villa Football Club, Bright Futures brought them all together to tackle it in one fell swoop in the UK’s first collaborative employability conference.

Sponsored by the Higher Education Academy, it was an employability conference with a difference – seeking to expose the employability agenda to all forces and shape it to meet the demands of the future workforce. The conference addressed issues facing not only students, but also those of employers and recruiters, schools and universities, careers services and academics, and anyone with a vested interest in the employability agenda.

The conference saw 250 people register to attend and hear from our key note speakers from TomorrowToday, Alexander Mann Solutions and CIHE/NCUB, covering topical subjects such a “Global Skills” and “Embracing the Working Revolution”. The structure was complimented by a cross-sector panel debate of entrepreneurs, Managing Directors, students and subject experts, along with interactive mixed-table discussions, and footage from students saying what skills they have to bring to the workplace of the future. The aim was to go beyond just talking about issues, but focus on agreeing actions that can be taken to make a difference in the lives of students in schools and universities across the UK. 

We are producing a full report of all of our findings from the conference to include all recommendations, quotes and data collected from the conference. Information will also include the delegate list and access to the presentation slides delivered on the day. 

EMPLOYABILITY REPORT 2013 - DOWNLOAD NOW!

“This event definitely exceeded my expectations and has provided me with a great opportunity to get my ideas across a number of employers and careers services.” Student

“I have such a lot to change, the student were amazing! How do I raise other students to this level?” ~University Careers Service

“Excellent, motivational morning, great presenters, met three potential engineering apprentices from The Castle School, which was the icing on an excellent cake.” Employer

This event would not have been such a success without the support of all the delegates and the conference sponsors: The Higher Education Academy, global talent management firm Alexander Mann Solutions, Accenture, Centrica and the University of Leicester.