The first in a series of lunchtime discussions, supported by Barclays, focused on the role of sport in tackling youth unemployment and how public, private and community partners can work together to create direct pathways into employment for young people.

With the youth unemployment rate in the UK at 19.8% and more than one million 16-24 year olds classified as not in education, employment or training, there is more need than ever for public and private partners to work together to support young people in gaining access to the job market. Sport programmes are already working with some of the most hard to reach young people in the UK, to develop their confidence, skills and capacity to find work. However without direct pathways into apprenticeships and jobs, these young people can find themselves fully trained but unable to take the next steps to finding long-term employment.

During this lunchtime discussion, experts from think tanks, sport, business and community development came together to:

• Discuss the current context of youth unemployment in the UK
• Share best practice around how sport for social change programmes are supporting young people to develop their confidence, skills and employability
• Develop solutions as to how public, private and community partners can work together better and create direct pathways into employment for young people