World Youth Skills Day

How investing in Young Talent is investing in your Business from our perspective as HR experts.

Every year on the 15th July, World Youth Skills Day shines a spotlight on the importance of equipping young people with the skills they need to thrive in the workplace. While the government, education providers, schools and councils all have a role to play, one of the biggest opportunities lies much closer to home and that's with SMEs.

Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the UK's economy, accounting for over 99% of all businesses. This means SMEs are uniquely placed to make a real difference to the next generation, while also strengthening their own future workforce.

At Hello People Solutions, we believe developing young talent isn't just the right thing to do and that it's a smart business strategy.

Why should SMEs invest in young people?

Many business owners worry they don't have the time, resources or budget to support young people entering the workplace. But providing opportunities doesn't have to be complicated or expensive.

Young people bring fresh perspectives, digital confidence, creativity and enthusiasm. They ask questions that challenge established ways of thinking and often become some of the most loyal employees when they're given the chance to grow.

By opening your doors to young people, you're also helping to tackle skills shortages while building your reputation as an employer that invests in its community.

What are the ways your business can support young talent?

You don't need a graduate scheme or dedicated HR department to make an impact. There are plenty of accessible options for SMEs to support the next generation of workers, here's some ideas from us:

Offer meaningful work experience

Work experience placements give students a valuable insight into working life while allowing businesses to showcase their industry.

Whether it's a week-long placement or regular work shadowing, focus on giving participants genuine experiences rather than simply observing. Involve them in meetings, small projects and problem-solving activities where appropriate.

A positive work experience can inspire career choices and may even introduce you to your next employee.

Consider apprenticeships

Apprenticeships aren't just for large organisations. Businesses of all sizes can recruit apprentices across a huge range of sectors, from business administration and customer service to digital marketing, finance and engineering.

Apprentices earn while they learn, combining practical experience with structured training. Many SMEs find apprentices become highly skilled employees who understand the business from the ground up.

Smaller employers may also be eligible for government funding towards apprenticeship training costs, making this an affordable way to develop future talent.

Partner with local schools and colleges

Building relationships with local education providers creates opportunities for both students and employers.

You could:

• Attend careers fairs.

• Deliver workplace talks.

• Host site visits.

• Offer mock interviews.

• Provide industry insight sessions.

• Support enterprise projects.

These activities raise awareness of your business while helping young people understand the range of careers available beyond the classroom.

Explore T Level industry placements

T Levels are technical qualifications designed to prepare young people for skilled employment.

As part of their course, students complete a substantial industry placement with an employer, giving businesses the opportunity to develop emerging talent while supporting education.

Many employers find these placements provide valuable additional resource while identifying future recruitment opportunities.

Support internships or graduate opportunities

If your business has the capacity, internships or entry-level graduate roles can provide structured pathways into employment.

Even short-term placements allow young people to develop confidence, gain commercial experience and build transferable skills that will benefit them throughout their careers.

Supporting young people in your community

Supporting young people doesn't always mean recruiting. As an Enterprise Adviser with the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), you as a leader or one of your team could volunteer with local schools to help connect education and employers.

Whether it's speaking at careers events, offering workplace visits or taking part in mock interviews, SMEs can make a real difference by helping young people understand the opportunities available to them while strengthening links with their local community.

Creating a positive experience

Offering opportunities is only part of the equation. The experience itself matters.

Young people are often entering the workplace for the first time, so clear communication, regular feedback and encouragement can make all the difference.

Simple steps such as assigning a mentor, explaining workplace expectations and celebrating achievements help build confidence and engagement.

Remember, today's work experience student could become tomorrow's apprentice, graduate or future manager.

The business benefits

Investing in young people delivers more than social value.

Businesses often see benefits including:

• Building a future talent pipeline.

• Bringing fresh ideas and innovation into the workplace.

• Improving diversity of thought.

• Enhancing employer brand and reputation.

• Increasing employee engagement through mentoring opportunities.

• Addressing future skills gaps before they become recruitment challenges.

For SMEs competing with larger employers, growing your own talent can be one of the most effective long-term recruitment strategies.

How Hello People Solutions can help

Creating opportunities for young people doesn't mean navigating everything alone.

At Hello People Solutions, we help SMEs build people strategies that support growth while creating inclusive, engaging workplaces. Whether you're considering taking on your first apprentice, developing onboarding processes for young employees, reviewing your recruitment approach or creating a supportive workplace culture, we're here to help.

This World Youth Skills Day, why not consider one small step your business could take? It could be offering a week's work experience, attending a local careers event or exploring apprenticeship opportunities. We're hosting a year 10 student from our local school within our business for the week to showcase how HR is a great career choice.

The investment you make today could shape both a young person's future and the future success of your business.

Ready to build a future-ready workforce? Get in touch with Hello People Solutions to discuss how we can help you attract, develop and retain the talent your business needs to grow.