Britain is producing too many young people without a clear route into productive work. This autumn, the Centre for Social Justice is bringing its Big Listen to Yorkshire and London to hear from the people who see the problem first-hand, and to shape a plan to fix the skills pipeline for Britain’s next workforce.
Big Listen Yorkshire: Friday 30 October, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Big Listen London: Monday 2 November, 1:00pm – 6:00pm
Why it matters
Recent CSJ analysis, covered by The Telegraph and the BBC, found that:
- around 700,000 graduates are now claiming out-of-work benefits
- apprenticeship starts among under-19s have fallen by 40 per cent over the past decade
- employers in every sector report a severe shortage of skilled workers
The CSJ’s Rewiring Education programme sets out to reverse this decline by rebuilding a technical pathway that is designed with employers, delivered locally, and valued equally alongside the academic route.
What is a Big Listen?
Big Listens are the CSJ’s proven way of turning frontline insight into national policy. These town-hall-style events bring charities, employers, educators and policymakers into one room. What we hear is used to influence government and drive our policy campaigns.
Big Listen Yorkshire
Friday 30 October, 9:00am – 12:00pm
We will be joined by Lord Sewell of Sanderstead CBE, Alex Sobel, Labour MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, and former England rugby star Jason Robinson OBE. We will also hear from Eve Wagg, CEO of Well Grounded and a CSJ Awards finalist, alongside a diverse range of speakers sharing their personal and professional experience of this critical issue.
Lord Sewell of Sanderstead CBE
Member of the House of Lords
Alex Sobel MP
Labour MP for Leeds Central and Headingley
Jason Robinson OBE
Former England rugby player
Eve Wagg
CEO, Well Grounded; CSJ Awards finalist
Big Listen London
Monday 2 November, 1:00pm – 6:00pm
Are you a senior figure at a London business or employer? We want to hear from you. We will be joined by Lord Sewell of Sanderstead CBE, Times columnist Fraser Nelson, James Reed CBE, Chairman and CEO of Reed, Jon Hendry Pickup, CEO of Butlin’s, and Camilla Tominey, Associate Editor of The Telegraph.
Lord Sewell of Sanderstead CBE
Member of the House of Lords
Fraser Nelson
Times columnist
James Reed CBE
Chairman and CEO, Reed
Jon Hendry Pickup
CEO, Butlin’s
Camilla Tominey
Associate Editor, The Telegraph
Places are limited. Register your interest by emailing events@centreforsocialjustice.org.uk and we will be in touch to confirm your place.