Building the Future Workforce Starts Local
There’s a lot of conversation right now about skills gaps, talent shortages, and the future of work.
But the reality is - the future workforce isn’t something that appears later. It’s already here, in our schools and colleges - and a growing proportion of the population Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) - shaping its expectations of work, technology, and opportunity.
If we want a stronger, more capable workforce in the years ahead, it starts with what we do locally, now.
This isn’t new - but it is becoming more urgent
At Bravand - and more recently through Fresh Meet CIC - we’ve been working with young people and education providers for over 14 years. The goal has always been the same: helping bridge the gap between education and real-world work.
My role as a Governor for Computing and Careers at UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park (UTC OLP) is simply a continuation of that work - not the starting point.
What’s changed is the urgency.
Employers are finding it harder to recruit. Young people are finding it harder to understand what careers actually look like. And too often, those two things aren’t meeting in the middle.
A practical way to get involved
One of the most effective ways to close that gap is through direct engagement between employers and students.
UTC OLP, based at the Olympic Legacy Park in Sheffield, is a specialist college focused on:
- Computing
- Health Sciences & Social Care
- Sport Science
They work closely with employers to give students real exposure to professional environments - not just theory, but how work actually happens.
There are multiple ways to get involved, depending on your time and capacity. That might be:
- A guest lecture or careers talk
- Mentoring a student over a few months
- Setting a real-world project or competition
- Offering work experience or industry placements
Some of the most impactful opportunities - like T-Level placements - allow students to spend significant time embedded in a business, building real, practical experience.
Just as importantly, there are also low-commitment ways to contribute. Even a single session sharing your experience can have a lasting impact.
“We don’t have time” - a common (and solvable) concern
One of the most common things we hear from businesses is:
“We’d love to help, but we don’t have the time or structure.”
The reality is, engagement can be flexible.
Most activities can be delivered on-site at the college or remotely. And there are options that require minimal time commitment but still provide meaningful value to students.
It’s not about doing everything - it’s about doing something.
Not your sector? There are other routes
If your business doesn’t align with UTC OLP’s specialisms, there are still strong local pathways.
UTC Sheffield City Centre focuses on:
- Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing
- Creative & Digital Media
We’ve worked closely with UTC City Centre through both Bravand and Fresh Meet CIC, and they offer similarly structured opportunities for employer engagement.
So whether you’re in tech, healthcare, engineering, or creative industries, there’s a way to get involved locally.
Why it matters (for businesses, not just students)
This isn’t just about doing something positive for the community - although that matters.
It’s also about:
- Building your future talent pipeline
- Increasing awareness of your business among young people
- Helping shape the skills and behaviours you want to see in future hires
Done well, it’s one of the most effective long-term investments a business can make.
Where to start
If you’re an employer interested in supporting the next generation of talent, I’d strongly encourage you to speak directly with UTC OLP about current opportunities. Go ahead and contact:
Ifatgar (Ifty) Ahmed
Curriculum Director of Computing & Associate Assistant Head UTC OLP (https://www.utcsheffield.org.uk/olp/)
T: 0114 308 4000
E: iahmed@utcsheffield.org.uk
If your business is more aligned with engineering or creative digital, you can find out more about UTC Sheffield City Centre here: https://www.utcsheffield.org.uk/city/
And if you’d prefer an informal conversation first, I’m always happy to share our experience and help you find the right way to get involved:
Ross Musgrove
T: 07799 885 950
E: ross@bravand.com
Final thought
Building the future workforce doesn’t happen in isolation.
It happens when local employers step forward, share their experience, and play an active role in shaping what comes next.
The opportunity is already here - it’s just a question of whether we choose to engage with it.
