EmployabilityUK, the Queen’s Award-winning charity recognised for its national impact on social mobility, has announced the launch of the first official National Employability Week™ (NEW) taking place this week.
NEW is designed as a coordinated national response to the UK’s youth unemployment crisis, skills shortages, and widening opportunity gap and Solihull College & University Centre is one of the FE institutions taking part.
Students from the College have been invited to attend sessions throughout the week with local employers focused on Engineering and Artificial Intelligence.
With economic inactivity, skills gaps, and employer recruitment challenges high on the national agenda, NEW represents a landmark moment in the UK’s response to tackling youth unemployment and social inequality. This ground-breaking campaign has already attracted the backing of influential leaders, including Lord Jim Knight, Rt Hon Robert Halfon, Councillor Sharon Thompson. Patrons include Dame Julia Clerdon DCVO CBE, and Nick Newman, Founder of National Careers Week.
“This is about unlocking potential and building brighter futures,” said Diane Vernon MBE FIEP, Chief Executive of EmployabilityUK. “With the support of our partners and by engaging with future talent, we are creating a powerful national movement that will grow year on year. Made in the West Midlands in 2025 growing to a UK-wide initiative by 2027.”
NEW 2025 is launching in Birmingham, the UK’s youngest city, with nearly 40% of its population under 25 and will expand across Central England in 2026 before going nationwide. The 2025 pilot alone will engage over 25 educational institutions, 250+ live attendees, and over 500+ digital participants, with involvement from leading businesses and civic partners including Birmingham City Council, Shoosmiths, BT, ARUP, Trowers & Hamlins and Hays Recruitment.
“If we’re serious about levelling up, businesses must play their part,” said Rt Hon Robert Halfon, former Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education. “I urge employers to back National Employability Week — whether through funding, mentoring or offering opportunities. Together, we can change lives and build a workforce fit for the future.”
“National Employability Week is an exciting opportunity to come together with partners across the region to empower our young people with the confidence, skills and experiences they need to thrive,” said Councillor Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council and Deputy Regional Mayor. “By working collaboratively, across education, business and the voluntary sector we can open doors to brighter futures and help shape a generation that is ready and equipped for the world of work.”
Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE, Patron of NEW, will address guests at the official launch event at Shoosmiths on 7 July: “This is exactly what our country needs right now. A week to shine a spotlight on the hopes, talents and aspirations of young people and to give employers a chance to step up and support the future.”
Lord Jim Knight, former Education Minister and Chair of multiple national digital learning initiatives, has welcomed the initiative as “timely, scalable and deeply aligned with our need to reform how education connects with employment.”
The 2025 partnership window is now closed, with all sponsor and delivery opportunities fully allocated. EmployabilityUK extends its gratitude to the inaugural cohort of Founder Partners and stakeholders who have helped shape this historic launch.
Organisations and institutions interested in playing a strategic role in National Employability Week™ 2026 (6–10 July 2026) are encouraged to get in touch now to explore opportunities.
Diane Vernon says, “We are already planning NEW 2026 as a Central England-wide initiative. We welcome enquiries from national firms, regional employers, universities and educational bodies who want to contribute meaningfully to the next phase of this movement.”
