Read: CPC23 - Young Enterprise puts applied learning at the heart of the Conservative Party Conference agenda

Helping young people to understand the skills they have already accumulated during their academic education and how those can be applied to practical, real-world challenges will equip them for a more productive and prosperous future - that was the message from an event hosted by Young Enterprise and the Purpose Coalition at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester today.

The panel discussion - ‘Ready for the Real World’ was led by former Education Secretary and Purpose Coalition Chair, Rt Hon Justine Greening, and panelists included Sharon Davies, CEO of Young Enterprise, Emma Degg, CEO of North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT), Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley & Ilkley, Councillor Louise McKinley, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield. The event also heard first-hand from two young people Rosanna Collis and Wayes Iftikhar who have taken part in Young Enterprise programmes.

The world is changing and that is nowhere more evident than the workplace. But too many young people feel that they are ill-equipped to take their place in it and research indicates that employers feel the same, citing a lack of skills (42%), experience (36%) and confidence (34%) as the main reasons why they are not hiring young people. With a 2022 PwC study showing that improving education, training and employment for young people could provide a £40bn boost to the UK’s GDP, there is also an economic imperative.

Applied learning is a tool that enables teachers to bring real-world contexts and ideas to young people’s education through hands-on experiences and problem solving, integrated across subject teaching and linking their learning to a life beyond school. Applied learning has been shown to improve engagement and motivation, build transferable skills, improve academic outcomes, create a more productive workforce and is cost-effective to deliver. By improving access to opportunity it also supports improved social mobility.

Young Enterprise Chief Executive, Sharon Davies said:

“It’s been great to be at Conservative Party Conference to set out why applied learning is so important to the future of our young people. Improving education, training and employment for young people could provide a huge boost to young people’s futures and to the economy. Today’s event has provided an important opportunity to set out both the economic and social benefits of applied learning to MPs, policymakers and many more.”

Rt Hon Justine Greening said

“Education is essential to the future of our young people, and today’s event was an opportunity to set out why it matters, and hear first hand from young people who have benefited from Young Enterprise’s programmes across the country.”