Lost Generation or Regeneration?

The employment challenges of recession.. and recovery

FREE EVENT:
West London Branch: Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development
7.00 pm Thursday, 24th May 2012
Pitzhanger Manor Walpole Park Ealing

The shock of last summer’s rioting in Ealing – and across the UK – provoked much argument and soul-searching about what could have led to the outbreak of lawlessness.

One of the themes to emerge was the concern about youth unemployment and talk of a potential “lost generation”. Tackling this remains a priority for the government through a range of policies – some of which have been a source of recent controversy.

So what can individual employers do? How do they balance social responsibilities with economic survival? What can employers in Ealing do to address one of the worst effects of a double dip recession?

The challenge of youth unemployment for organisations and businesses will be the focus of a major debate in Ealing to be hosted by the West London branch of the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) on Thursday 24 May at Pitzhangar Manor.

The “Question Time” style event will be chaired by Shaun Ley from the BBC’s World At One and World This Weekend programmes.

Panel members will include:
Kate O’Connor, Executive Director of Policy & Development and Deputy CEO of Creative Skillset;
Wendy Hirsh, an independent consultant and researcher, who works closely with a number of centres of expertise in the UK including the Institute for Employment Studies (IES);
Jane Riddiford, Executive Director of Global Generation; and
June Harvey, HR Manager for Park Plaza Hotels, and a member of the organising committee of HR in Hospitality

This event is open to anyone with an interest in the subject but the audience will include invited members of the local political and business community. The panel will be responding to audience questions – drawing on their particular knowledge and experiences of how organisations are responding to the challenge and what more can be done.

The debate should reveal whether businesses can find ways to survive current austerity in the short term, as well as planning for a hoped-for return to prosperity in the longer term? Is it possible to sustain the holy grail of employee engagement while laying off staff and restructuring? How can you motivate a workforce who can’t be sure of continued employment in the current climate? And just what are the prospects for the next generation of employees?

These thorny and topical subjects should provide the basis for a lively, thought provoking evening of questions and discussion.
Refreshments will be provided for the audience and there will be opportunities network before and after the event.

23rd May 2012