The following article was originally published on The Great Business Debate

In 2013, about 21% of 18–24 year olds — nearly one million young people — were unemployed in the UK. And yet, in many sectors — particularly areas like science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) – industry faces a skills shortage.

The Government has done a good job to provide the right “push” towards a solution, through education and training schemes. It is industry that creates jobs and it is industry which can provide the demand side “pull” to attract more young people into apprenticeships and graduate training schemes. Doing this can help transform the work-place skills and abilities in the UK, and at the same time, improve the prospects of Britain’s youth.

Business is getting behind the 5% club…

This drove the creation of The 5% Club an industry-led campaign spearheaded by Leo Quinn, QinetiQ Group CEO. The 5% Club are companies, including FTSE100 and SME members, from a diverse range of sectors. Each member aspires to have at least five per cent of its UK workforce comprised of apprentices, graduates or sponsored students.

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