Our From Potential to Opportunity webinar explored an important question: how can we better equip young people to succeed in employment?

George Greaves and Conor Cotton from Greaves Education challenged us to look beyond traditional routes into work. Their Keynote highlighted the importance of helping young people recognise the skills they may have already developed through their life experiences, even when they don’t necessarily see those abilities as employability skills themselves.

George and Conner also encouraged young people to explore different and sometimes unconventional routes into employment. No two journeys will look the same, but each opportunity and experience can build on the last, helping young people develop the skills, resilience and experience they can carry forward.

Elliot Moore, our Employment Coach, brought the conversation directly into our work at YMCA South Midlands, highlighting the importance of confidence-building and working alongside residents towards the employment outcomes that matter to them.

For us, that means creating an environment where young people are supported to become increasingly confident and independent.

And we’re seeing the impact:

• 68 residents supported into employment
• 89 job outcomes achieved
• 65 Stage 2 and 3 residents currently in employment
• 283 practical employment interventions delivered in the last three months, ranging from CV writing and interview preparation to mediation with employers on behalf of residents.

Ultimately, we want to create an ecosystem around our young people that gives them the skills, support, confidence and opportunities they need to take that leap.

Because potential is already there. Our role is to help create the conditions for young people to recognise it, develop it and turn it into opportunity.

If you’re an employer or organisation that can open doors for young people through work experience, training or employment opportunities, we’d love to hear from you. Email Elliot at elliot.moore@ymcasouthmidlands.com