Inspiring Futures. Improving outcomes for young people in Birmingham
This report examines how well the employment and skills system supports young people in Birmingham and the West Midlands, with a particular focus on rising youth unemployment, economic inactivity and the growing number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
You don’t become NEET at 16. The seeds have been sown well before that.
Drawing on employer surveys, interviews, focus groups, a public call for evidence and economic modelling, the research identifies key challenges including declining entry-level jobs, reduced access to work experience, fragmented careers guidance and the impact of AI on the labour market. The report sets out practical recommendations to improve work experience, AI literacy, employer engagement, and careers support, helping more young people access meaningful employment opportunities
The report presents a series of recommendations under four priority areas: work experience; AI awareness, knowledge and application; employer engagement and promoting local opportunities; and comprehensive careers advice.
These recommendations follow from the evidence set out in the report and build on existing progress and activity across Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority. Recommended actions are presented under each topic, with the type of change envisaged explained. They are designed to be practical and scalable, building on existing initiatives and proven approaches within Birmingham and more widely. Place-based working pilots should be selected on the basis of opportunity (for delivery and impact) and need. Some recommendations involve exploratory or developmental activity, creating scope for young people to play a more direct role in what follows.
Key recommendations include:
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Partners to develop a centralised, dedicated Work Experience Brokerage Service to match students to opportunities and reduce the administrative burden on schools, colleges and employers.
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Design and build a Birmingham Work Experience Passport.
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Building on West Midlands Combined Authority WMCA) work on existing free travel passes, by the end of 2026 the WMCA to explore a dedicated, free pass for young people travelling to work experience and work placements across the WMCA area and consider integrating it into the Work Experience Passport.
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Establish an AI for Educators Training Fund to provide comprehensive training for teachers on AI skills and applications.
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The WMCA to consider using the Skills Innovation Fund, supported through other adult skills funding reserves, to set up a network of clubs across Birmingham secondary schools, giving students hands-on experience of coding, AI tools and digital content creation in an informal, accessible setting.
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The WMCA and Birmingham City Council, with the private sector, to promote the establishment of Employer or Entrepreneur in Residence roles within schools and colleges to foster business engagement.
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Launch a “Works in Birmingham” campaign celebrating local role models and highlighting career pathways in Birmingham's growth sectors.
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Build on Birmingham’s careers offer, including the transition to, and launch of, the redesigned Careers and Participation service.
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Train and upskill careers advisers across the Birmingham careers service on AI, automation trends and labour market forecasting, through a mandatory programme co-designed with West Midlands employers and the WMCA Skills Team.
The report concludes that action should be guided by three commitments:
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Every young person should have the opportunity for real exposure to the world of work before leaving education.
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Every young person should have the opportunity to leave school/ college with the skills, confidence and AI literacy to make their way in a fast-changing economy.
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Every employer, particularly SMEs, should find it easier to take on and invest in young talent.
Meet the Authors
Professor Anne Green
Professor Anne Green is Professor of Regional Economic Development at the University of Birmingham and a leading expert on employment, skills, inclusive growth and labour market inequalities. Her research focuses on how economic, demographic and social change affect places and people, with particular expertise in employment dynamics, skills policy, migration, regional development and inclusive labour markets. She works extensively with policymakers and stakeholders to develop evidence-based solutions to improve economic opportunities and workforce outcomes.
Dr Abigail Taylor
Dr Abigail Taylor is a Research Fellow II at City-REDI, specialising in regional economic development, labour markets, skills, governance and place leadership. Her research explores how place-based policies and governance arrangements shape economic opportunity and inequality, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for young people, supporting transitions into employment, and developing evidence-based approaches to inclusive growth.
Dr Chloe Billing
Dr Chloe Billing is a Research Fellow II at City-REDI specialising in innovation, technology transfer, productivity, skills systems and regional economic development. Her research explores how universities, businesses and innovation ecosystems can work together to support economic growth, with expertise in the UK space sector, industrial innovation and regional innovation systems.
Dr Charlotte Hoole
Dr Charlotte Hoole is a Research Fellow II at City-REDI. Charlotte’s work examines local and regional economic development, governance, devolution and public policy. Her research focuses on how governance structures and funding systems shape regional inequalities, and she has recently led research on public funding allocation and place-based policymaking across England.
Maryna Ramcharan
Maryna Ramcharan is Senior Policy and Data Analyst at City-REDI specialising in data analysis, economic intelligence and spatial analysis. Her work supports understanding of labour market trends, regional inequalities and socioeconomic change across the West Midlands and beyond informing local and national policy.
Johannes Read
Johannes Read is a Senior Policy and Data Analyst at City-REDI whose work focuses on inclusive economic development, civic and regional policy, and the economic impact of institutions and programmes. He regularly analyses regional economic trends, devolution, public policy and place-based economic development, with a particular interest in creating more inclusive local economies.
Dr Matthew Lyons
Dr Matthew Lyons is an economic geographer. Matt was previously a Research Fellow II at City-REDI and now works at the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre in Australia. Matt specialises in regional economics, economic modelling and spatial analysis. His work focuses on understanding how economic change affects regions and places, using advanced modelling techniques to examine issues such as productivity, innovation, creative industries, net zero transitions and regional growth.