Lords social mobility committee to hear from employment and business experts

The Committee is investigating the issues that surround social mobility in the transition from school to work, and young people's choices and opportunities.

In the first session, at 10.30am, the Committee will be hearing from business experts, namely Dr Peter Grant from the CASS Business School; Nick Chambers, Director of the Education and Employers Taskforce; and Professor Ewart Keep of the University of Oxford.

Questions the Committee are likely to put to witnesses in the first session will include:

• What is your view of the role of employer engagement to offer increased access to the workplace?
• Should employers be given more support to offer work placements?
  What can school and colleges do to improve the employability of young people?
• Have you noticed any disadvantaged groups?
• What do you anticipate to be the effect of the apprenticeship levy, announced in the Summer Budget 2015?

Then, at 11.30am, the Committee will have the opportunity to question figures within business, namely Neil Carberry, Director of Employment, Skills and Public Services at the CBI; Tony Moloney, Head of Employment and Skills at National Grid; Tanith Dodge, HR Director for Marks and Spencer; and Emma Codd, Managing Partner for Talent, Deloitte.

Questions the Committee are likely to put to witnesses in the second session will include:

• What is the greatest barrier to employers recruiting young people who have not done A-Levels or completed higher education?
• What are the factors that make work experience schemes successful?
  What are employers' perceptions about young people in their local areas? How do they engage with them?
• What are employers' views of the different levels of apprenticeships available?

The evidence sessions will start from 10.30am on Wednesday 14 October in Committee Room 4A of the House of Lords.