UK unemployment rose by 46,000 to 1.47 million in the three months to December*. Businesswoman and Ambassador to University Technical Colleges, Michelle Dewberry says:

“As UK unemployment rates rise, I believe that we need to protect future jobs by updating the education system. We must ensure that we’re best preparing young people for the workplace by equipping them with relevant technical and employability skills.

“Research commissioned by University Technical Colleges reveals that 8 out of 10 (80%) parents believe that the current education system needs to change – with a further two thirds fearing their child will not find a job when they leave education.

“With technology changing UK businesses at a rapid rate, it is more important than ever to engage employers to discover the types of skills they look for and expect they will need moving forward.

“UTCs work with more than 450 employers to ensure their students’ education is relevant to the world of work. They ensure that leavers have the necessary skillset to compete in the job market, and for apprenticeships and university places.

“I have done an annual employment roadshow for the last six years and every year I see the same problems come up – job hunters with no experience struggling to get work. UTCs help fix this by giving students relevant experience and the exposure to employers from early on.”

For more information, please contact charlotte@the10group.co.uk / 020 7637 0656

*ONS data