In the latest episode of 'The Future of our People' interview series, Rachael had the immense pleasure of chatting with Laura-Jane Rawlings, the Founder and Chief Executive of Youth Employment UK.
Youth Employment UK was born in 2012 with a mission to help young people overcome barriers to education and employment. Laura-Jane and her team have been working tirelessly for the past decade to bridge the gap between education and work, making sure young talents are heard and employers are youth-friendly.
Today, Youth Employment UK serves over 200,000 young people each month through their online resources and advocacy work. They also collaborate with government departments to influence policies that impact young job-seekers.
In their chat, Laura-Jane shared insights on the challenges and lessons of leadership in a not-for-profit, the importance of investing in staff, and the future of work-life balance. She also raised the issue of the 'work-ready' myth in a society that often doesn't give young people the tools they need to enter the labour market.
Laura and Rachael also talked about the five principles that guide Youth Employment UK's mission: Opportunity, Recognition, Fairness, Development, and Listening. These principles aren't just for young staff; they apply to all employees, fostering a positive work environment.
We're truly inspired by the incredible work Youth Employment UK and Laura-Jane are doing, and we hope you find this interview as enlightening as we did.
Let's keep supporting our young talents and creating better workplaces for everyone.
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