This report highlights the disparities in employers' awareness, intentions, and actions regarding the recruitment of young people from marginalized backgrounds and emphasises the need for coordinated efforts across business, government, and civil society to improve employment pathways and support for these individuals.

This report was originally published by Youth Futures Foundation as part of the Good Jobs Project.

In this spotlight report we present a summary of key findings and statistics from The Good Jobs Project report called “The Purpose-Driven Business Solution to the UK’s Labour Shortage”, including a focus on the West Midlands region. We present key statistics from our Good Jobs Project survey at a national level, as well as providing the views of employers that were surveyed in the region.

This report highlights the opportunity to use the current labour crisis as a catalyst to encourage more businesses to intentionally seek to employ those that have traditionally been distant from the labour market. It emphasises the need to bridge the awareness-action gaps, improving data quality for investors, and implementing financial incentives to encourage businesses to engage.