My pre-politics career was spent running charities that help disadvantaged young people across the country with education and employment opportunities. In Parliament, I am the Chair of the Social Mobility APPG.
I started a campaign to lean on companies and other organisations to provide work experience placements to young people at local state schools in the constituency after the pandemic significantly reduced work experience placements as more people worked from home, yet they are vital - particularly for disadvantaged young people who lack connections and need to develop the skills employers look for. I asked schools to put forward the young people - ensuring at least some are from disadvantaged backgrounds - and I matched them to employers. I was delighted that we secured over 40 offers of placements with many employers across the constituency taking part including Hachette UK, Rebellion, Astroscale, ELS and Oxford Sigma.
I am also proud to have hosted 10+ local young people for work experience in my Parliamentary office. In 2023, from January to July, I had at least one placement in my office every single month.
In March 2023, I hosted an Apprenticeship Fair in Didcot which featured many local employers and welcomed 400+ local young people to understand the apprenticeship opportunities available to them.
You can see more about my campaign by clicking on the links below.
