Students from universities across the country spoke with senior leaders, explored different sectors and reflected on the value of bringing young people directly into conversations about education, employment and social mobility. Their experiences demonstrate the importance of networking and how creating spaces where students are listened to as active partners can broaden horizons, strengthen aspirations and help develop the next generation of leaders. 

Leaders from across government, business, education and the voluntary sector gathered at the House of Commons this week to reaffirm their shared commitment to creating opportunity, strengthening communities and improving social mobility across the UK. 

The University of Kent has announced a new partnership with the Purpose Coalition that will create new opportunities for students to work with employers and organisations committed to improving social mobility.

As the UK accelerates towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy system, one challenge sits at the heart of the transition: ensuring we have the skilled workforce needed to deliver it. 

On World Youth Skills Day, The Purpose Coalition joined E.ON and a cohort of its degree apprentices for a day exploring exactly that question.

The Purpose Coalition was delighted to welcome Sojan Joseph MP, Member of Parliament for Ashford, to PGL Beyond's Grosvenor Hall activity centre to see first-hand how outdoor learning is helping young people develop the confidence, resilience and life skills they need to thrive.

A Purpose Coalition project with leading engineering and manufacturing firms has launched a new report which seeks to widen access to opportunity across one of the UK’s most important sectors. 

Personal Group’s series of Purpose Lab sessions explored what young people expect from employers as they prepare to enter the workplace. Across the sessions, students spoke at length about workplace wellbeing, health and protection products, graduate recruitment, benefits technology, life-event support and, most recently, expectations around pay, progression and workplace culture. 

Medefer recently took part in a Purpose Lab session with students from universities and colleges across the UK to explore how young adults view consultant-led, digitally enabled outpatient care as part of the NHS. 

The roundtable, themed “Unlocking Opportunity”, brought together major North East employers and education leaders to discuss how business can play a stronger role in creating jobs, widening access to opportunity and support regional economic growth.

Purpose Lab has not just broadened my knowledge. It has made me more curious about the world beyond my discipline, and for a scientist, that might be the most useful thing of all. 

Through the Purpose Lab’s partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, students had the opportunity to experience the show first-hand, gaining insight into a sector that is often seen as traditional, specialist or difficult to access.

The Purpose Coalition has launched Purpose Lab Masterclasses, a new series of employer-led masterclasses delivered in partnership with two leading further education colleges, Capital City College (CCC) and Newcastle College Group (NCG).

Being a Student Ambassador with Purpose Coalition has been such an eye-opening experience.

As new political forces are remaking the electoral landscape, a new podcast series argues that tackling inequality is now a social and economic necessity for politicians of all parties.  

Over the past six months, my experience as an Event marketing Assistant with Purpose Lab has been creatively challenging and personally transformative.

Next in our Purpose Power List Spotlight series, we speak to Professor Emma Mayhew Royal Holloway, University of London

The environment has also played a big role in the experience that I have had. It has always been supportive and open, making it comfortable to share ideas and hear different perspectives.

The Youth Opportunity Pledge (YOP!)  has been co-founded by Rt Hon Justine Greening, Former Education Secretary, and Paula Sherriff former Labour MP and Shadow Health Minister.

Across recent Purpose Lab sessions with PGL Beyond, RHS, Personal Group, and Active Care Group, a clear and consistent insight emerged - young people are not disengaged. Instead, they are highly responsive to organisations that demonstrate a genuine understanding of their lived experiences.

My experience as Purpose Lab’s Student Ambassador was precisely that: a crucible of growth, purposeful leadership, and insight.