Royal Backing for Social Mobility Drive
I had the fantastic opportunity to talk to Prince William and UK business leaders about social mobility this week.
We were all guests of building materials group Tarmac, celebrating the official opening of its impressive new training centre in Nottinghamshire.
The theme of the day was opportunities for young people – and why creating more of them is so important. I am delighted to be working with Tarmac and the Social Mobility Pledge’s network of more than 400 organisations on a project to advance social mobility in the UK.
Integral to this, of course, is the removal of the barriers to social mobility that prevent young people from fulfilling their potential. And it was encouraging to hear His Royal Highness speaking so passionately about the issue, following in the footsteps of his father.
As reported in the Telegraph, he said: “Social mobility and opportunity for young people is really really important, and obviously the fact you’re all here, you all understand that. This is an area my father has been heavily involved in, through the Prince’s Trust, for many years.
“So I’ve slightly inherited that interest in trying to think about opportunities and young people’s potential…I’m here to really listen to the ideas and the challenges and the opportunities that you all think are out there. To be able to share best practice and see where it takes us and what can be done going forwards.”
Such high-profile recognition of an issue that, for too long, was neglected in the UK, can only be a good thing and it was fitting that his speech came at Tarmac - which is going to great lengths to support social mobility.
Its new facility, Tarmac National Skills and Safety Park, aims to give construction sector employees the vital skills required to meet the UK’s ongoing building needs. Up-skilling aligned to growing demand can be a powerful catalyst of social mobility.
The Duke marked the opening of the centre by unveiling a plaque and then joined myself, Martin Riley of Tarmac and a group of chief executives in the boardroom to discuss social mobility further.
I came away from the event feeling greatly enthused by the genuine commitment of the employers round the table to continue fighting Britain’s lack of social mobility. There was also realism about the scale of the challenge ahead.
In the Duke, meanwhile, those of us driving the social mobility agenda have a valuable ally on our side, and have exciting plans ahead.
Rt Hon Justine Greening
Founder, Social Mobility Pledge
Former Secretary of State for Education, Minister for Women and Equalities, Secretary of State for International Development, Secretary of State for Transport, Economic Secretary to the Treasury