As the exams furore continues it is important to remember there are more pathways to success - Beckie Hart

It’s a strange year for teenagers to be getting their exam results in our region, whether it be A-levels, BTECs or GCSEs. Businesses know this has been one of the most challenging for students in recent memory.

Regardless of people’s results, it’s vital to remember that there is more than one path to a successful career. Whether going on to further study or entering the world of work, the resilience demonstrated by young people throughout this unprecedented period will be a key ingredient to their success.

As students in Yorkshire and the Humber start the next chapter of their lives, building on these personal attributes alongside good communication and creative flair will undoubtedly improve their long-term career prospects.

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Despite tough times ahead for the economy, employers are committed to creating opportunities for young people to get their first foot on the ladder.

Exams debacle has brought pressure on GovernmentExams debacle has brought pressure on Government
Exams debacle has brought pressure on Government

The rollout of T-Levels in England next month will open up even more routes for students to get on the career ladder. And with apprenticeships, traineeships and the Kickstart scheme also coming up in the autumn, employers across the UK will need government guidance on how to navigate the system and choose what’s best for their business.

More broadly, the best way to assist young people is by helping the economy recover as quickly as possible, principally by the UK Government keeping its support for both companies and people affected by Covid-19 under review.

The reality is that lockdown took a chunk out of the economy in Q2. Encouragingly, the economy grew in May and June, indicating that the early stages of a recovery are underway. Yet cashflow constraints are still biting hard for businesses, and, with the pandemic not going away anytime soon, a sustained recovery is by no means assured.

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Extending local authority grants and widening business rate relief in England are just two ideas that would bring our region’s firms much-needed breathing space as they seek to build back better from the pandemic.

Looking further ahead, the dual threats of a second wave and slow progress over Brexit negotiations are particularly concerning, underlining the need for maximum agility from Government on both these issues. This, in turn, would allow politicians to focus more closely on the economy’s long-term future.

Meanwhile, it’s essential to remember that the scarring effects of unemployment fall unevenly across society. Joblessness hits some groups harder than others, such as the young and most disadvantaged, which deepens inequality, as highlighted by The Yorkshire Post at the beginning of August.

Whilst the Government’s support schemes continue to be a lifeline, it is still unclear exactly how the labour market will respond as they taper off.

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So, we must proceed with care and consider what future support might be needed for businesses and people, particularly if the pace of economic recovery falters. Guarding against a second wave by stepping up test and trace efforts and improving the implementation of local lockdowns is essential in the short term.

Furthermore, closer than ever cooperation is needed between local and central government, business and the public sector to get the UK-wide recovery we need.

An early emphasis on retraining and reskilling those who have been made redundant, alongside investing in green growth to create jobs on the road to net zero, can provide an inclusive and sustainable route back to prosperity.

Results’ day shows why it’s now more important than ever to create a brighter and fairer future for our young people.