Better school-job alignment could reduce unemployment

Youth unemployment will not be solved by questioning young people’s readiness for work, but by better aligning education, employers and policy, according to new evidence submitted to an independent review. 
 
Insight from education and employer partnerships shows that when pathways, qualifications and workplace expectations are aligned, recruitment, retention and progression outcomes improve for young people and businesses. 
 
The comments have been submitted by West Herts College as part of its response to an investigation led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn into the causes of high unemployment and economic inactivity among 16 to 24-year-olds. 
 
Drawing on its work with young people and employers across multiple sectors, the College says its experience consistently points to the same conclusion: coordinated approaches across education and employment deliver the strongest long-term outcomes. 
 
Amanda Washbrook, deputy principal, partnerships and business development, said: “Our experience shows that when education, employers and policymakers are working from a shared understanding, young people transition into work more confidently and businesses see better results.” 
 
Employers often refer to a “skills gap” among young people, but close collaboration frequently reveals a more practical challenge in ensuring that modern qualifications, technical skills and workplace potential are clearly understood and effectively translated into employment. 

“When employers engage closely with curriculum content, many discover that learners already have strong technical skills, relevant knowledge and real workplace potential. In these cases, outcomes improve significantly for young people and businesses. 
 
“Alignment matters. When expectations are clear on all sides, young people are better prepared to succeed and employers benefit from stronger workforce stability.” 
 
West Herts College points to long-standing employer partnerships that demonstrate how united approaches work in practice, particularly where employers actively collaborate on curriculum and workforce development. 
 
The Grove, a 5-star hotel close to the College’s Watford campus, employs large numbers of young people across its operations and has worked closely with the College to support clear pathways from education into employment. 
 
Danielle Michaels, HR director of The Grove, said: “Our Career Partnership with West Herts College provides a genuine bridge from education into employment. It provides real employment experience that brings to life and enriches the education for the students in a work setting.” 
 
The College says that helping young people build confidence to be able to talk about their skills in a way employers understand can be just as important as the qualifications they hold.  
 
Alongside employer engagement, earlier intervention is also critical. The College’s experience shows that disengagement rarely begins at the point a young person becomes NEET, but often develops earlier through unclear pathways, limited guidance or fragmented support. 
 
“Early identification, trusted relationships and clear routes through education and into work are essential. Prevention depends on alignment long before crisis points are reached.” 
 
As a further education provider working at the intersection of learning, wellbeing and employment, West Herts College says colleges play a vital role in bringing partners together and translating policy intent into practical outcomes.