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Want to harness young talent? Watch our Elevate Equity event on demand

Elevate Equity: Harnessing young talent

The Open University hosted a full day of keynote speakers and panel discussions, hosted by presenter and journalist, Ben Hunte, to understand how employers can attract, develop and grow young talent. You can listen to the insights from Gen-Z’s career expectations to values and ideas and practical advice on addressing the hybrid working and learning challenge and how to successfully grow your talent.

Gen-Z currently make up 20% of the workforce, a number that will continue to grow. But recruiting and retaining the right young talent has been challenging. Furthermore, employers around the UK are reporting on a mismatch between their requirements and young people’s skills and readiness for the workplace.

Young talent is the future of the workforce, so how can employers address these challenges, making sure they futureproof their organisations? What do Gen-Z employees expect from their employers? Can organisations provide young people with the tools to kickstart their career and harness their skills?

Watch our sessions and interviews below to learn more.

Watch sessions

Session 1

Hear how Joseph Lennox from HMRC found his feet on the career ladder through an apprenticeship, while Lauren Mistry from Youth Employment UK digs into the skills mismatch between young people and employer expectations. Lynne Peabody from the EY Foundation offers her own insights on how businesses can connect with younger workers.

Session 2 

Our panel discusses the challenge of young people learning and thriving in the hybrid working environment and shares tips and best practice to create the right balance.

Session 3

Patrick from Knauf gives an insight into Gen-Z's values and motivations in the workplace, while Manpower UK's Shelly Larsen-McHugh explains how employers can attract the brightest young talent into their organisations.

Session 4

In our final session, our panel discusses how to get the best from young talent. The guests offer tips to create the culture and conditions for them to succeed through apprenticeships and other forms of learning and development.

Elevate Equity: Harnessing young talent top tips

Download top tips

Find out the top tips shared by our expert speakers and panellists at the event.

Read about how your organisation can better integrate young people into the workplace, to help you attract, train, and retain the leaders of the future.

Download top tips

Watch interviews

Interview: Arainu Afeidt

Arainu Afeldt

Arainu explains how the Prince's Trust gets feedback from its work experience students to help them reflect on their placement and continue their journey.

Interview: Ben Hunte

Ben Hunte

Ben Hunte encourages employers to open their doors to young people by offering placements and giving them the opportunity to offer fresh perspectives and ideas..

Interview: Chris Luck

Chris Luck CB MBE DL

The workplace is in flux as it emerges from the disruption of Covid-19. Chris Luck CB MBE DL, Group CEO of the Shaw Trust explains the difficulties this presents for young people finding their feet in their careers.

Interview: John Griffin

John Griffin

John Griffin explains how IBM balances remote and in-person working which allows young people to "learn by osmosis" from more experienced colleagues.

Interview: Joseph Lennox

Joseph Lennox

Joseph from HMRC explains that employers can take steps to promote apprenticeships and celebrate the achievements of the learners.

Interview: Kath Austin

Kath Austin

Kath Austin of Form the Future encourages employers to invest in young people to see long-term ROI and results.

Interview: Lauren Mistry

Lauren Mistry

Lauren Mistry of Youth Employment UK encourages employers to clearly set out their expectations of young people in the workplace, and give them the opportunity to suggest positive changes.

Interview: Lynne Peabody

Lynne Peabody

Lynne Peabody of the EY Foundation stresses the importance of relatable role models to help young people make the transition into the workforce.

Interview: Shelly Larsen-McHugh

Shelly Larsen-McHugh

Manpower's Shelly Larsen-McHugh shares her approach to allow young people to flourish as individuals in the workplace.

Interview: Chris Luck

Chris Luck CB MBE DL: second interview

Chris Luck CB MBE DL of the Shaw Trust explains that the "watercooler" moments need to be replaced by coaching and mentoring to help young people adjust to the modern hybrid workplace.

Do you need help harnessing young talent?

The Open University has more than five decades experience of helping employees combine earning and learning. Find out how we can help your young talent.

Contact us