Specialists from Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) and Reed Talent Solutions brought together an audience of students and businesses to analyse the potential future of work.

Academics and students from LUMS, senior staff from Reed Talent Solutions, Reed Screening, Code Nation, and a select group of key partners took part in an interactive knowledge exchange event focusing on The Future Workforce.

The event explored the many and varied challenges facing young people entering the jobs market.

Alongside representatives from LUMS and the Reed Group, attendees included the NHS, Barclays, Santander, Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, Stockport Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, and Trafford Council.

Lucy Anderberg, Reed Talent Solutions' Continuous Improvement Director, said: “It has been wonderful to partner with Lancaster University Management School to deliver our first Future Workforce event in the North West.

“The discussions and insights from students, industry, and academia were insightful, and I'm sure will provide the foundation for deeper research and initiatives. Improving young people's lives through work is central to Reed's mission, and we hope that ideas generated through this forum will drive impactful change.”

After an introduction from Director of Reed Screening, Keith Rosser, and LUMS Lecturer Dr Pete Watt, the event focused on three areas: Preparing young people for work; AI, technology and work; and The Future Workforce – integrating multiple generations and the soft skills conundrum.

The preparing young people for work topic, led by LUMS’ Dr Beth Suttill and Reed’s DE&I Consultant Iain Macleod, explored the challenges and barriers that young people face.

As well as considering attendees’ own experiences, it looked at the roles of government and business in overcoming the structural inequalities that exist in preparing for, and transitioning into, work.

The AI and technology discussions were led by David Muir, founder of Code Nation, and Dr Huw Fearnall-Williams, of LUMS, revolving around artificial intelligence’s impact on future skills requirements and development, and the overall future of the workplace.

Finally, the future workforce strand – led by Reed Talent Solutions’ Solutions Director Louise Reed and LUMS Teaching Fellow Dr Yu Fu – examined the challenges of integrating multi-generational workforces, particularly with regards to work culture and employee retention.

Dr Alison Stowell, Senior Lecturer in LUMS, said: “This was a reminder of the impact we can make when you bring academics, students, industry and government together with a shared focus.

“The collaborative development and running of the Future Workforce event has acted as an instigator for longer-term collaborations with Reed, something we are delighted by and looking forward to.”