Education and work: Addressing inequality through collaboration
Date: 02nd July 2026
Location: Online 10:00 - 12:45
At a time of increasing economic volatility and changing demands for education and skills, many young people are struggling to navigate their way. All young people need help in progressing to jobs and careers that enable them to contribute to society and lead fulfilling lives. But shifts in the labour market are exacerbating existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting young people from minoritised communities, those with SEND and those from lower socio‑economic backgrounds. Young people from these groups face considerable risks, with school leavers significantly more likely to become NEET and higher education students less likely to secure graduate level employment. At the same time, employers are facing labour shortages in key areas, as well as challenges in recruiting young people to entry level positions.
Schools, Colleges, Higher Education Providers (HEPs), Employers, Public and Third Sector organisations all attempt to address these issues. However, stark inequalities in available support persist from primary and secondary education, through post 16 and Higher Education. Provision remains fragmented with individual organisations lacking the resource to support young people in a systematic way, negatively impacting their chances to gain appropriate employment on completing post 16 and HE courses.
This cross-sectoral event brought together Higher Education Providers, Post Sixteen providers, Employers, Public and Third Sector organisations to consider collaborative approaches that can redress inequalities in provision, and more effectively support currently underserved young people to progress to meaningful employment. The focus was on exploring practical strategies that facilitate more equitable access to careers education, advice and guidance (CEIAG) and progression to employment.
Keynote Speaker:
Professor Hugh Lauder, Professor of Education and Political Economy, University of Bath
Panel Discussion with:
Shaid Parveen, Associate Dean for Development and Engagement (LSS), Aston University
Belinda Brown, Senior Community Specialist, Coventry Building Society
Dr Vicky Cockerill, Head of Associate and Enhanced Healthcare Practice, University of Derby
Claire Barton, Assistant Principal Higher Education, Nottingham College.
Panel chaired by Dr Andrea Laczik, Director of Research The Edge Foundation
In response to requests from members this event was moved online.
This event launched a new NERUPI online series focused on working collaboratively cross-sector to support underserved students and young people into the workplace.
All events in the series are free to attend so please share these events with your network - we are keen to build a cross-sector community of practice in this field.
Hugh Lauder is Professor of Education and Political Economy at the University of Bath (1996-to present) and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. He was formerly Director, The Institute for Policy Research University of Bath, (2014-2016). He has studied at The University of London, (UCL, Institute of Education), and gained his Doctorate at the University of Canterbury (NZ). He was formerly Dean of Education at Victoria University of Wellington.
His books include: Brown, P, Lauder, H, Ashton, D., (2011) The Global Auction: The Broken Promises of Education, Jobs and Incomes, Oxford University Press, New York; Brown; ;Lauder, H., et al (eds.) Educating for the Knowledge Economy: Critical Perspectives (2012); Lauder, H, and Cheung, S.Y, The Death of Human Capital (2020). His books have been translated into Chinese, Korean and Japanese. He was the ditor of the Journal of Education and Work
Shaid Parveen is a lawyer and pracademic with a proven track record for advancing equity and justice in the legal profession and higher education through employability partnerships with the private, public and third sector. She is the Chair of Birmingham Law Society’s Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage (REACH) Committee and Legal Tech Committee and serves on the Law Society of England and Wales’ Women Solicitors Network Committee.
At Aston University, Shaid is the Director of Aston Law Clinic, an Associate Professorial Teaching Fellow, and the Associate Dean for Development and Engagement for Law and Social Sciences.
Belinda is a purpose‑driven community and social impact professional with 19+ years’ experience across programme management, volunteer leadership and event delivery. She currently leads the multi-award winning Better Futures social mobility initiative, creating transformational opportunities for young people from disadvantaged communities in Coventry and Rochdale through award‑winning employability and early‑career programmes.
Belinda's work focuses on bringing the world of work to life - bridging industry and education through meaningful, volunteer‑led experiences that build employability skills, raise aspirations and improve long‑term career prospects. She is passionate about helping young people realise their potential and achieve sustainable outcomes for their futures.
Dr Vicky Cockerill is Subject Lead Associate for Advanced Healthcare Practice in the College of Health and Humanities at the University of Derby. She is a dual‑qualified mental health and learning disability nurse and an accredited cognitive behavioural psychotherapist. Vicky leads several apprenticeship programmes, including the Nursing Associate apprenticeship, alongside advanced practice, research, and continuing professional development provision. She works closely with NHS and partner organisations to support workforce development. Her interests include trauma‑informed practice, emotional wellbeing, and evidence‑based education, with a strong commitment to compassionate leadership and improving care quality through research‑informed teaching and practice.
Claire is an accomplished higher education and quality assurance leader with over 20 years’ experience across further and higher education, specialising in curriculum development, quality enhancement, teaching and learning, regulatory compliance, and strategic leadership.
Assistant Principal for Higher Education at Nottingham College, Claire has held senior leadership positions across multiple colleges, driving institutional improvement, growth, and successful quality assurance outcomes.
In addition, she has worked alongside the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) as a reviewer and contributor to the development of the new Quality Code.
Claire is recognised nationally for expertise in higher education policy, governance, and partnership management. Her leadership combines strategic vision, evidence-based decision-making, and a commitment to excellence.
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