Abbie Vlahakis, CEO of Millennium Point and Deputy Lieutenant, discusses her journey from the private sector to the charity sector, emphasising the importance of community engagement and mentorship for young people.

She highlights the mission of Millennium Point in inspiring education and careers in STEM fields, addressing the skills gap and youth unemployment in Birmingham.

Abbie advocates for collective efforts among businesses, local authorities, and educational institutions to create opportunities for young people and equip them with the necessary skills for the future workforce.

• Abbie Vlahakis is the CEO of Millennium Point and a Deputy Lieutenant.
• Millennium Point focuses on inspiring education and careers in STEM.
• Community engagement is a key aspect of Abbie's role.
• Transitioning from the private sector to charity work can be fulfilling.
• Mentorship is crucial for young people's development.
• Youth unemployment in Birmingham is significantly high at 14%.
• Employers need to create opportunities for young people.
• The education system needs to adapt to better support diverse learning styles.
• Innovative approaches in STEM education can engage students effectively.
• Collective efforts are necessary to address the skills gap.

00:00 Introduction and Background of Abbie Vlahakis

01:52 Role and Responsibilities as Deputy Lieutenant

04:16 Understanding Millennium Point and Its Mission

05:54 Transition from Private Sector to Charity Work

08:15 The Importance of Mentorship for Young People

10:42 Addressing Youth Employment and Skills Gap

13:00 Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation

17:59 Reevaluating Recruitment Processes

20:37 Youth Employment Challenges

22:00 Collective Efforts for Inclusive Growth

22:28 The Importance of Human Skills

23:15 Addressing Diverse Learning Needs

24:15 Championing Creative Minds

26:15 The Role of Employers in Education

27:41 Engaging with Local Authorities

28:47 Investing in Future Generations

30:21 Innovative Approaches in STEM Education

31:14 Long-Term Vision for Workforce Development

33:17 Building Community for Future Workforce

35:28 Concluding Thoughts on Youth Potential

In this engaging conversation, Tom Clarke-Forrest, founder and CEO of Sport 4 Life UK, shares insights into the challenges and opportunities facing young people today.

He discusses the importance of mentorship, the essential life skills needed for success, and the impact of sports on personal development.

The conversation also touches on the role of AI in shaping the future workforce and the need for curiosity and adaptability in an ever-changing world.

• Sport 4 Life UK helps over 4000 young people each year.
• 72% of participants improve their key life skills.
• 82% of participants report improved mental health.
• The organisation focuses on structured sport, qualifications, and mentoring.
• Critical thinking and emotional intelligence are essential skills for success.
• Resilience and adaptability are crucial in today's workforce.
• Mentorship provides young people with relatable role models.
• The pressure of social media can hinder youth development.
• Curiosity is a key trait for personal and professional growth.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Background of Tom Clarke-Forrest

03:02 - The Journey of Support for Life UK

06:01 - Creating Opportunities for Young People

08:56 - Essential Life Skills for Success

12:06 - Challenges Faced by Today's Youth

15:04 - Collaboration and Advocacy in Youth Development

17:58 - Success Stories and Impact of Sport

20:43 - The Future Skills of the Next Generation

26:08 - The Future of Work and Human Skills

28:42 - The Role of Mentorship in Youth Development

31:44 - Optimism in the Face of Change

33:15 - Life Lessons from Parenting

37:18 - AI and Human Collaboration

39:54 Curiosity as a Key to Success

In this engaging conversation, Tracy Westall OBE shares her journey from a successful corporate career to a portfolio career, emphasising the importance of ethics, technology, and the ongoing challenges of misogyny and sexism in the workplace.

The discussion highlights generational differences in attitudes towards these issues, the role of AI in shaping future behaviours, and the necessity of teaching values and ethics to the next generation. Tracy's insights provide a roadmap for parents and leaders to foster a more inclusive and respectful environment for all.

Takeaways

Tracy Westall emphasises the importance of liking the people you work with.

She highlights the difference between sexism and misogyny.

Tracy's career has evolved from corporate to a diverse portfolio role.

The pandemic has changed workplace dynamics, making hybrid work more acceptable.

Misogyny is still prevalent in society, affecting younger generations.

AI poses ethical challenges that require active engagement from society.

Teaching values and ethics should start early in children's lives.

Men need to be educated to change their behavior towards women.

Small actions can lead to significant societal changes.

Tracy believes in the power of using one's voice to advocate for change.

Sound bites

"Don't work with arses."

"Small steps, big impact."

"Don't be a dick."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Tracy Westall

03:11 Career Transition: From Corporate to Portfolio

05:55 The Impact of Misogyny and Sexism in the Workplace

08:47 Generational Perspectives on Online Misogyny

11:56 Understanding Sexism vs. Misogyny

14:49 The Role of Social Media in Shaping Attitudes

17:55 Small Changes for Big Impact

20:53 The Importance of Manners and Politeness

24:04 The Future of AI and Its Implications

25:22 The Role of Humanity in AI Development

30:04 Ethics in Technology and Education

37:51 Empowering the Next Generation

40:12 Addressing Societal Issues and Gender Dynamics