Youth Select Committee 2018 to question experts on access to work experience

The inquiry comes at a time when more than half a million young people are unemployed, and with a recent YouGov poll highlighting that 58 per cent of all 11-18 year olds cite a lack of work experience as a barrier to future employment.

What is the Youth Select Committee?

Parliament's annual Youth Select Committee gives young people the opportunity to scrutinise and hold inquiries into topics of importance to them. Following a call for written evidence, the 2018 Youth Select Committee will be hearing from a range of witnesses on 6 and 13 July inside one of the House of Commons Committee Rooms, usually used by MPs.

The eleven committee members are aged 11-18 and include Members of the UK Youth Parliament, Youth Councillors, a Young Mayor and representatives from each of the devolved nations.

Claudia Quinn, 17, Chair of the Youth Select Committee said: “Work experience is an area of growing concern to young people. But the evidence the Committee has received so far suggests far too many—including those most disadvantaged in the labour market—struggle to access it all.

"For still more young people, good quality experience is out of reach. We're looking forward to ensuring we hear a variety of voices on this issue so we can make strong recommendations to the Government on fixing this situation.”

Rt. Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons said: “The Youth Select Committee has an extraordinary ability to tackle the biggest issues affecting young people head on.

"Finding good quality work experience is a real challenge for a lot of youngsters across the country, so it is promising to see the issue being investigated by this year's committee. I look forward to personally meeting the young members and following their inquiry.”

What to expect

The two evidence sessions will be open to the public and broadcast on Parliament TV. The session on 13 July will also be Broadcast on BBC Parliament.

Just like UK Parliament Select Committees, the Youth Select Committee will produce a report and recommendations based on its findings, which will be sent to the Government for a response.

DAY 1: Friday 06 July – Wilson Room, Portcullis House

Panel 1, 10.30am to 11.30am: Young People

• Bethanie Mortenson, Member of the Greater Manchester Youth Combined Authority
• Beatrice Kassovic, Member of Westminster Youth Council
• Tom Hawkins, Student, Foxes Academy
• Taiwo Afolabi, Vinspired

Panel 2: 11.30am to 12.30pm: Businesses

• Kate McGoey, Senior Programme Manager, Barclays Lifeskills
• James Lloyd, Resourcing Manager, Transport for London
• Melissa Lawrence, Head of Programmes, The Brokerage Citylink

Panel 3: 1.30pm to 2.30pm: Experts

• Professor Sir John Holman, Emeritus Professor of Science Education, University of York (and author of The Good Career Guidance Report)
• Dr Julie Moote, Research Associate, Kings College London
• Katy Hampshire, Director of Operations and Programmes, Education and Employers

Panel 4: 2.30pm to 3.30pm: Education

• Clare Walsh, Partnership Engagement, Foxes Academy
• Sarah Yong, Head of Government, Careers and Enterprise Company
• Anna Howard, Programme Manager, Inspire Education Business Partnership
• Tbc, Westminster City Council

DAY 2: Friday 13 July – Wilson Room, Portcullis House

Panel 1, 10.15am - 11.25am: Policy

• Rachael Saunders, Education Director, Business in the Community (BITC)
• Lauren Mistry, Operations Director, Youth Employment UK
• Sarah Horner, Head of Policy and Communications, Learning and Work Institute
• Yolande Burgess, Strategy Director, London Councils

Panel 2, 11.25am – 11.55am: Expert

• Dr Deirdre Hughes OBE, Director, DHM & Associates Ltd

Panel 3, 11.55am – 1.00pm: Providers

• Jessica Taplin, Chief Executive, Vinspired
• Bhavina Bharkhada, Education and Skills Policy Advisor, EEF
• Ashley Hodges, Executive Director, Speakers for Schools
• Steve Radley, Policy Director, CITB

Panel 4, 2.00pm – 3.30pm: Government

• Clare McDonald, Deputy Director for Careers and Basic Skills, Department for Education.
• Mike Davies, Deputy Director for Technical Education Policy, Department for Education.

Further Information

The evidence sessions will be open to the public on a first come, first served basis.

Entry is via Portcullis House and it is advisable to allow 30 minutes to pass through security checks. 

To find out more about this year's Youth Select Committee and view submitted evidence, you can visit the British Youth Council website here.