Creating more high-quality work experience opportunities for young people was highlighted as a key priority at a special skills event in Newark looking at Youth Ambition.
Conversations with Mayor Claire: Youth Skills and Employment brought together employment minister Dame Diana Johnson, Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, and dozens of delegates at Air and Space Institute Newark, to examine how young people can be better supported to move into good employment.
The event explored how employers, education providers and public sector partners can work together to give young people clearer routes into training, work experience and long-term employment.
Mayor Claire said: “Every young person deserves the chance to see what’s possible for their future. For many, work experience is where that starts. It builds confidence, gives them a real insight into the world of work and can open doors they never knew were there.
“Youth Ambition brings schools, colleges, employers and local partners together so more young people can get that first opportunity. It’s also about helping businesses connect with their future workforce.
“The East Midlands has so many talented young people with big ambitions. I want them to know they can build successful careers and fulfilling lives here, and we’ll keep working with our partners to make sure they have the skills, support and opportunities to do just that.”
Youth Ambition is a scheme designed to strengthen the support available to young people before they leave school, with a focus on practical careers advice, employer engagement and meaningful work experience.
Across the East Midlands, the programme, backed by a £2.2m investment from the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), aims to create at least 1,000 work experience opportunities over three years and provide earlier careers support from Year 9.
Mayor Claire and Dame Diana gave speeches before joining a panel discussion alongside Stu Jones, Head of Delivery at DEA Aviation Group, and Jenny Banyard, a student at ASI Newark, part of Lincoln College’s Newark campus.
This was followed by round-table discussions on how the East Midlands can improve work experience, strengthen links between education and employers, and help more young people move into good jobs.
Dame Diana said: “It was a pleasure to join the skills event in Newark at the Air and Space Institute College, and to see the collaboration taking place to help create opportunity for young people.
“By bringing together our local Jobcentres, employers and partner organisations like the East Midlands Combined County Authority, we can help build the skilled workforce our economy needs.
“This Government is committed to ensuring every young person has the chance to earn or learn, and through our £2.5bn investment we are supporting almost a million young people towards work.”
The session was the first in a series of summer engagement events planned by the Mayor to hear directly from local authorities, businesses and community leaders across the East Midlands. Future events will focus on more of Mayor Claire’s core commitments, including green growth, sport and wellbeing.
Feedback from the event will help shape future work with employers, education providers and partners so more young people can access the experience, confidence and support they need to take their next step.
Published on: 15 July 2026
Categories: News, Skills and Employment