About this Event
Inclusive Workplaces: Helping People Thrive at Work
A fully funded 60-minute practical workshop for employers
Nearly 1 million young people aged 16–24 are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET) in the UK. At the same time, employers continue to face challenges around recruitment, retention, skills and accessing new sources of talent.
What can employers do differently?
This interactive one-hour session will explore how businesses can create workplaces where a wider range of people can access opportunities, contribute and thrive.
The workshop is linked to the UK Government's Connect to Work programme, which supports disabled people, people with health conditions and people facing complex barriers to employment to find and sustain meaningful work.
Why this matters
The latest figures provide a compelling case for employers to think differently about recruitment and inclusion.
In April–June 2026, an estimated 981,000 young people aged 16–24 were NEET, equivalent to 13.0% of the UK population in this age group. This was around 30,000 more young people than a year earlier.
There also remains a significant disability employment gap. The latest detailed DWP statistics show an employment rate of 52.8% for disabled working-age people compared with 82.5% for non-disabled people.
Yet behind those statistics are individuals with skills, strengths and potential who can make a valuable contribution to businesses.
The question for employers is:
Are our recruitment processes and workplaces enabling that talent to succeed?
What we'll explore
During this practical and interactive session, we'll look at:
- Understanding barriers to employment – why talented people can struggle to access and sustain work.
- EDI in practice – moving beyond policies and statements to everyday inclusive behaviours.
- Rethinking recruitment – identifying where traditional recruitment processes may unintentionally create barriers.
- Supporting different needs – recognising that people work, communicate and learn differently.
- Reasonable adjustments and flexibility – exploring how relatively small changes can make a significant difference.
- Creating the right workplace culture – helping people feel welcomed, valued and able to contribute.
- Supporting someone to thrive – practical actions for managers and colleagues.
- Connect to Work – understanding the support available to both individuals and employers.
This isn't about employers having all the answers.
It's about understanding what we can do differently and recognising the potential of people who may previously have been overlooked.
What will you leave with?
By the end of the hour, employers will have a better understanding of the barriers some people experience when entering employment, greater confidence around EDI and workplace inclusion, and practical ideas they can take back into their organisation immediately.
You'll also find out how Connect to Work can work alongside employers, including support around recruitment, matching individuals to opportunities, workplace adjustments and helping employees successfully transition into and sustain employment. Government guidance specifically describes employer engagement as a conversation between the employer, job seeker and Employment Specialist to align the individual's skills and needs with the workplace.
Who should attend?
The session is designed for SMEs and larger employers and will be particularly useful for business owners, HR and People teams, hiring managers, line managers, EDI leads and anyone responsible for recruitment, workforce development or social value.
Delivered by people who do this every day.
This isn't a workshop about inclusion based purely on theory. TRACK and Café Track work directly with individuals who experience barriers to employment and with the businesses that employ them. The session brings those experiences together to explore what employers can practically do to help more people access, sustain and thrive in employment.
No previous knowledge of EDI or supported employment is required.
Event venue & nearby stays
Cafe Track, 18 Market Square, Northampton, United Kingdom
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