Organisers of the first ever conference aimed at boosting young people’s opportunities in the workplace are thanking delegates who have filled all 160 places.
 
The Employability, Productivity and Leadership conference will be held at the Mount Murray Hotel and Country Club on Wednesday 10th October. It will discuss how young people can best be equipped for the world of work in these changing economic times.
 
The conference – jointly organised by the Departments of Education and Children (DEC) and Economic Development (DED) – takes place against the backdrop of a report from the International Labour Organisation that states the effects of the euro crisis will spill over from developed to emerging economies, pushing youth unemployment to almost 13% by 2017. Many young people have given up hope of finding a job, the ILO says.
 
Of the Isle of Man’s 1,014 unemployed, 396 are young people aged 24 and under.
 
Paul Craine, the DEC’s Co-ordinating Adviser for 11-19 Education and one of the conference’s organisers, said there had been a great deal of interest from employers, educators, members of government and third sector organisations and all the places had been taken. Among the delegates will be an 18-year-old jobseeker who recently wrote to the Manx Independent about her efforts to find work.
 
‘I am delighted that so many people have signed up to attend this conference. It is indicative of how high the issue of employability and employment is on the respective agendas of all who work with young people,’ Mr Craine said.
 
John Shimmin MHK, Minister for Economic Development, said: ‘In the current global economic climate, it has never been more important for us all to get together to discuss what we can do to equip young people with the skills needed for success in the workplace.’
 
Mike Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, who will speak at the conference, said: ‘I am pleased that so many employers have made attending this conference a priority. It shows their commitment to reviewing current practices with a view to further promoting the life chances of young people on the Isle of Man.’
 
Tony Wild MLC, a political member of both the DEC and DED, added: ‘It is good to see the departments working closely together on the crucial issue of employability. We hope this close working relationship will develop still further after the conference.’
 
Kieran Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Merseyside Connexions, one of the UK’s leading career guidance organisations, will be a keynote speaker at the conference. Doug Strycharczyk, Managing Director of AQR Business Consultants, and Gaynor Lewis, Director for Business Development at the Institute for Leadership and Management, will also take part.
 
Those who have signed up for the conference will receive confirmation of their places this week.