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FUTURE TALENT NEEDS A SIGNPOST


I spend my week in two very different worlds. One is within businesses across Lancashire, fixing hiring challenges and helping leaders build stronger teams. The other is at Heights Free School in Blackburn, working with students who are still trying to picture where they belong in the working environment.


You might assume that these worlds overlap. They should. But in reality, they barely touch.


Businesses tell me their workforce is ageing. Of course it is. That’s how time works. The


students when a vacancy opens, long after those young people have formed opinions about work, opportunity, and what feels within reach.


So when an employer tells me they can’t attract younger workers, my first question is simple. Do young people even know you exist? Have they met you in a school? Have they seen you at a careers day, mock interview session, or workshop? Most haven’t. And that absence creates a gap no job advert can fill.


In short, you shouldn’t have to recruit young


workers into your organisation. They should already see you as an employer of choice


real issue is what they’re doing to bring the next generation through. And too often, the answer is nothing visible enough to matter.


ARE YOU READY


FOR LANCASHIRE’S BIGGEST BUSINESS CELEBRATION?


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19 JANUARY 2026 Awards ceremony:


Thursday 12 March 2026, Winter Gardens Blackpool


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Young people can’t aspire to join an organisation they’ve never heard of. Yet many companies only appear in the lives of


In short, you shouldn’t have to recruit young workers into your organisation. They should already see you as an employer of choice.


When employers do show up, the effect is obvious. I see it regularly at Heights. A student who thought certain jobs were


amplifysuccess.co.uk


“not for people like me” suddenly sees a path forward because someone took ten minutes to explain it. Those early encounters make a difference. They create familiarity, confidence, and possibility.


If we want the next generation to choose our industries, we have to stop waiting for them to magically discover us. Apprenticeships work best when young people already recognise the organisation offering them.


Be present before you need to hire. Make your world visible to the people who will inherit it. They can only choose you if they know you exist.


By Carolann Thompson, Senior people consultant, Amplify Success


UNLOCK TALENT AND GROWTH WITH OUR SKILLS PLEDGE


As we step into a new year, there’s never been a better time for Lancashire businesses to invest in skills, talent, and future growth.


The Lancashire Skills Pledge, managed by the Lancashire Skills Hub, is your one-stop gateway to impartial advice and guidance on:


• Inspiring young people from local schools and colleges with insights into your business and the world of work


• Recruiting new talent • Upskilling your existing workforce


CHAMPIONING APPRENTICESHIPS FOR LANCASHIRE’S FUTURE


Lancashire continues to lead the way in championing apprenticeships as a catalyst for business innovation, workforce development, and local prosperity. With strong employer support, robust funding, and growing uptake in advanced qualifications, our region is setting the standard for unlocking the full potential of apprenticeship programmes.


The Lancashire Skills Pledge helps businesses overcome one of the biggest challenges - apprenticeship recruitment – by providing impartial advice and practical support.


More than 330 businesses are actively signed up to the Lancashire Skills Pledge, with 140 organisations actively supporting apprenticeships. Why not join them and discover how your organisation can benefit?


WHY HIRE AN APPRENTICE? • Cost-effective talent development


• Tailored skills for your business: shape apprentices’ skills and work habits to align with your company culture and standards


• Increased productivity: apprentices contribute while learning, bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm


• Improved retention: studies show businesses employing apprentices see higher productivity and staff loyalty


Find out more at: lancashireskillshub.co.uk/lancashire-skills-pledge


By Sara Gaskell, Manager, Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub


• Future-proof your workforce: address skills gaps and build a pipeline of qualified talent


• Enhance your brand: supporting apprenticeships demonstrates social responsibility and commitment to workforce development


Lancashire’s apprenticeship landscape is thriving, delivering tangible benefits for businesses and learners while strengthening the region’s economic resilience.


Ready to make your pledge?


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