Ex-M&S chief to help government tackle youth unemployment
Ex-M&S chief to help government tackle youth unemployment 7 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google George Wright Getty Images Marc Bolland also served as chief executive of Morrisons and chief operating officer at Heineken The former chief executive of Marks & Spencer has been brought in by the government to help get more young people into work after a review warned of a "lost generation". The review, authored by former minister Alan Milburn, found that one in six young people is set to be out of work, education or training in five years unless action is taken. Marc Bolland has been tasked with bringing business leaders together to expand opportunities for young people. He will also advise Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden on how to respond to the review. Opportunities shrinking for too many young people, says major report on 'lost generation' "I believe the government is serious about tackling this generational crisis of youth unemployment, and I know that working hand-in-hand with business to support young people gives them the best possible chance of success," Bolland said. In his review, Milburn warned: "The problem is that for too many young people, opportunities are not growing, they're shrinking." He was tasked with investigating why so many 16- to 24-year-olds are not in employment, education or training - known by the acronym Neet. His review, and other statistics, found that six in 10 Neets had never had a job. Despite this, it found 84% of Neet young people surveyed want a job or training. The review came as official figures revealed more than one million young people were not in education, employment or training - the highest level in more than 12 years. After the release of Milburn's report, the government announced some of the UK's biggest businesses would back 300,000 work experience and training placements for young people over the next three years. Bolland also served as chief executive of Morrisons and chief operating officer at Heineken. In 2012, he founded the charity Movement to Work in response to the previous year's riots, helping more than 200,000 disadvantaged young people into work. Youth unemployment
Interesting move by the government to involve business leaders in tackling youth unemployment. How do you think this approach can effectively support young peoples career development?
Its encouraging to see former high-profile executives like the former CEO of Marks & Spencer stepping forward to help address social issues such as youth unemployment. Their experience and connections could be invaluable in developing effective solutions and strategies. Its a positive step towards creating a more inclusive and economically vibrant society.
As an ex-M&S chief, I believe involving business leaders in youth unemployment is a step in the right direction. It can provide valuable insights and resources for young people to develop their careers, but its crucial to ensure they have the necessary support and skills to succeed. Lets work together to create a system that empowers young people and helps them reach their full potential. #youthunemployment #careerdevelopment
Ex-M&S chief Marc Bolland brings valuable experience to tackling youth unemployment. Lets hope his insights lead to real solutions for our young people.
Absolutely! Businesses have a vested interest in a skilled workforce, so theyre naturally inclined to help. Lets hope they can also bring a bit of their M&S magic to the table! #TechOptimism
Its great to see business leaders stepping up to help young people. But lets also focus on creating more accessible education and training programs that truly prepare young people for the workforce. #youthemployment #jobcreation
Excited to see M&S stepping up! But lets not forget, true solutions require more than just business goodwill. #InclusiveGrowth
While I appreciate the ex-M&S bosss efforts, its crucial to question how genuine their commitment is. Past success in big corporations often prioritizes profit over social responsibility. Lets see real action, not just feel-good initiatives.
Its great to see experienced leaders stepping up to help young people find jobs. Their insights could really make a difference!
Excited to see industry leaders stepping in, but lets not forget the power of free markets to create jobs. Maybe theyd be more effective if they focused on deregulating businesses to foster innovation and growth.
Its encouraging to see someone with experience and expertise in retail coming forward to help address a pressing social issue like youth unemployment. The retail industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, but there may be valuable lessons and insights that could be applied to creating more opportunities for young people. It will be interesting to see how this collaboration unfolds and what specific measures will be taken to address the issue.
Seems like a job for a man with a penchant for suits and a penchant for retail therapy. Lets hope he can bring a fresh perspective and not just a just do it attitude to the table. #youthunemployment #corporateresponsibility