The UK's talent pipeline is facing a critical challenge. As entry-level opportunities continue to decline, organisations risk creating a ‘missing generation’ of talent, leaving future skills gaps, leadership shortages, and succession planning challenges in their wake.
Findings from Reed's latest report, ‘The missing generation 2026’, reveal that while almost three quarters of employers say recruiting early-career talent is a priority, many are struggling to create the opportunities needed to develop the workforce of tomorrow.
For many young people, the first rung of the career ladder is becoming increasingly difficult to reach. At the same time, employers are grappling with skills shortages, an ageing workforce, rising employment costs, and the impact of AI on traditional entry-level roles. The result is a growing disconnect between ambition and opportunity, with significant implications for organisations, individuals, and the wider economy.
Join Reed for an insightful online discussion examining why organisations must rethink their approach to early careers and talent development. We'll explore the long-term consequences of shrinking entry-level opportunities, what leading employers are doing differently, and how businesses can build sustainable leadership pipelines that support both organisational growth and social mobility.
Our expert panel
Hear directly from leaders who are shaping the future of early careers, workforce development, and talent strategy:
Louise Reed, Director of Future Skills, Reed Talent Solutions
Emma Gibson, People Capability Partner and Early Careers Lead, Evri
Phil Athersmith, Head of Early Careers & Skills Development (Submarines), BAE Systems
Mark Brooker, Talent Acquisition Director, BT Group
Key discussion topics
During this interactive session, we'll explore:
Why the UK's shortage of entry-level opportunities should concern every business leader
The link between today's early-career hiring challenges and tomorrow's leadership shortages
How organisations can build stronger talent pipelines through apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and skills development programmes
Practical examples from employers successfully attracting, developing, and retaining early-career talent
How workforce planning, succession planning, and early-careers strategy must become more closely aligned
The impact of AI and automation on entry-level roles and what this means for future workforce development
The role employers, educators, and policymakers must play in creating sustainable pathways into work for young people
Whether you're responsible for talent acquisition, workforce planning, learning and development, HR strategy, or organisational leadership, this discussion will provide practical insights and real-world examples to help you strengthen your future talent pipeline.
The session will conclude with a live audience Q&A, giving you the opportunity to put your questions directly to our panel of industry experts.
Register now to secure your place.
Speaker bios
Louise Reed, Future Skills Director, Reed Talent Solutions
Louise is a member of the Tech Skills Employer Advisory Board. With over 24 years’ experience in the talent industry, she works with employers to build the skills they need for the future while creating more accessible routes into meaningful careers.
Her work has a particular focus on early careers and emerging talent, helping organisations rethink how they attract, develop, and retain the next generation as skills needs evolve. She works with employers to create sustainable pipelines of emerging talent, using apprenticeships, academy programmes, and flexible talent models to build critical skills, widen access to opportunity, and bring new and diverse talent into the workforce.
Louise has a particular interest in social mobility and creating more inclusive routes into careers, and in how employers, education and industry can work together to better connect people’s potential with future skills needs. Through her work at Reed and her advisory board role, Louise contributes to shaping a more inclusive, skilled, and resilient future workforce.
Phil Athersmith, Head of Early Careers & Skills, BAE Systems
BAE Systems provide some of the worlds most advanced technology-led defence, aerospace, and security solutions. His role encompasses apprenticeship, graduate and undergraduate programme design and delivery, STEM inspiration, attraction and recruitment, youth employment programmes and craft skills training design and delivery.
He has 20+ years’ experience within the education and early careers and skills sectors working as a coach, lecturer, assessor, verifier, programme manager, and people leader. As a strong advocate for early careers and skills, Phil has championed the development of talent across the UK. He sits on a number of local and national boards promoting educational developments within communities.
