Nigel Morris

8th Jun 2020

‘Although the UK will be changed by the experience, I believe we can be stronger and better than ever before…more resilient, more innovative more economically dynamic, but also more generous and more sharing’. BJ – 10 May 2020

The recession and accompanying unemployment created by the COVID crisis has already most severely affected the under 25s. Added to this, will be the cohort of young people leaving schools, colleges and university this summer.

This will bring an additional one million 18-24s onto the job market. Research and analysis* forecasts more than 600,000 of these will become unemployed. This will have an immediate knock on effect through the whole employment market. Studies also show that the implications of mass youth unemployment are deeply negative over the long term at a personal level and for society as a whole. The crisis could produce a ‘Generation C’ who’s future prospects are blighted.

Organisations such Working Options in Education have a track record of success in making practical but inspirational interventions helping young people transition from education to employment. We work with business and with the support of educators to transform young lives.

However, the current situation needs something much more. There is also a big opportunity for the Government to be transformational, in a practical, straightforward way, that can impact quickly and scale effectively. The opportunity is not just to help young people; it is to harness the talents and energy of young people to speed the recovery and proactively shape the future.

The policy ask

One option suggested by an increasing number of organisations and charities is the launch of a ‘National Youth Corps’

The National Youth Corps would be open to all 18 to 24 year olds that aren’t working or in school, college or university. This is a new kind of initiative for a new challenge. The programme is enabled with technology, data and innovation with young people at the heart of the way in which it works and the way it looks. This as a ‘marketplace’ (such as Airbnb) with a high level of ‘social’ functionality. Online and mobile marketplaces are natural for young people to use and access. It can then be positioned like a brand that is for them. Young people sign up, check in, explore, engage and fulfil on their mobile devices. They influence others to do the same. This will drive adoption at speed and scale.

In this model, anyone in the TaskForce could then apply for task or project opportunities that have been uploaded onto the platform by providers from Central Govt, Local Govt, Business, Hospital Trusts, Charities, NGOs, start-ups, media and entertainment. These can be made available in a decentralised way, enabling a multiplicity of tasks and projects across the UK, often local and close to the point of delivery.

All these tasks will be focused on one of two clear objectives

• Enabling a faster more effective recovery
• Building a better future

In terms of recovery, this will have to be achieved over the next year within the constraints of social distancing and health precautions. It may well include a second wave of infection and restrictions. This will involve a change multiple ‘processes’ in the way we live; mobility, work, retail, consumption, leisure. Change management requires resources to help people make the required change to the way they do things.

In terms of the future, the Youth Corps could be a gateway to increasing the skills and capabilities needed for a modern, technology enabled and sustainable economy. There are already multiple approaches to apprenticeships and vocational training focused on developing broad based capabilities in STEM skills. We can galvanise a whole generation to see the opportunity for themselves and the UK.

The idea of the National Youth Corps has galvanised numerous organisations who are working to make this happen. We are also building support with young people. Together with Government this is a proactive initiative that can make a real and positive impact.

• Averts youth mass unemployment and its impact on the whole employment market
• Enables young people to provide vital ‘Recovery’ support services
• Upgrades the UK’s competitive position by building future facing skills and capabilities in technology, data, innovation, energy and the environment.
• Helps increase UK productivity over the next 3-5 years
• Additive to the UK ‘Levelling Up’ strategy

With the right support, project design and management, the National Youth Corps can become a movement of young people. It enables the Government to make a positive intervention to help young people, to their very clear benefit and to the benefit of everyone in the UK.

*Includes research from Resolution Foundation, Institute for Fiscal Studies, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

 

Nigel Morris worked in the digital and marketing services industries for nearly 30 years. He founded Isobar, the global digital agency and was CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Americas and EMEA. He is now an active angel investor and advisor, is a board director of data science business Gyana and tech company Actioncy. He is a Fellow of the VC firm LocalGlobe Latitude, a non-Executive Director of Guardian Media Group and President of Working Options in Education.