SHIFT Online: Shaping the Sector’s Offer on Skills and Tackling the NEETs Crisis

With one in six young people in Wales not in education, employment, or training (NEET), the Welsh Government shaping its new skills strategy, and the Milburn Review newly published, housing associations have a timely opportunity to define their offer. Together, we can help tenants upskill, access good-quality jobs, and reduce regional economic inequity across Wales.

Building on July’s Economy session, this 90-minute workshop will turn discussion into action by forming a "coalition of the willing" around a shared sector initiative:

• Strategic context: Key findings from the Milburn Review and an update on CHC’s Welsh Government advocacy.
• Choosing our route: Selecting and committing to one of three actionable pathways:
  • Trainer and employer: Scaling initiatives like the green careers pathway (codi) and Flying Sparks through academies and build programmes, putting NEETs first in line.
  • Youth entrepreneurship: Acting as the local link connecting young people to enterprise support like Big Ideas Wales.
  • Researching the crisis: Building a sector-wide evidence base on why young people in Wales become NEET.
• Making it real: Agreeing on leadership, required resources, and immediate next steps for our chosen route.

 Join us to shape the sector's skills offer and commit to meaningful action for young people in our communities.