More than one million young people across the UK are estimated to be out of education, employment or training, a conference in Teesside has heard.
More than 70 educators, youth workers and employment specialists gathered at Teesside University for the Unlocking Potential: Education, Employment & Engagement Conference, which focused on helping young people furthest from education and the workplace.
The event was organised in response to growing concerns over the number of people aged between 16 and 24 who are classed as not in education, employment or training (NEET).
The issue was highlighted in the Government's Young People and Work: Interim Report, authored by former Darlington MP and government minister Alan Milburn.
Engagement specialist Kheron Gilpin, one of the keynote speakers, said: "Events like Unlocking Potential are super important simply because a rising tide floats all boats.
"The more empowered our practitioners are, the more empowered our facilitators are, the more inspired our outreach teams are, the more young people are going to be impacted positively and change their lives for the better."
Held in partnership with the Tees Valley Combined Authority and Stockton Council, the conference brought together organisations working directly with young people to discuss how support can be improved.
Attendees took part in workshops and keynote sessions examining barriers to employment and education, while sharing practical ways to help young people move into training and work.
Among the organisations represented was employment support charity Tandem, which helps people develop workplace skills, improve CVs and prepare for interviews.
Mike Renton, chief executive of Tandem, said: "We are all facing the same problems and as organisations we are all doing very similar work.
"All the organisations work really well together. We all need to be around the table discussing the problem."
Councillor Lisa Evans, leader of Stockton Council, highlighted existing schemes aimed at helping young people into work.
She said: "It was fantastic to see different partners come together for this conference as we know the importance of working collaboratively to help achieve the best employment opportunities for young people in our area."
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The conference comes shortly after Teesside University welcomed 25 young people from across the Tees Valley who are currently NEET onto campus to explore training and career opportunities in healthcare and digital industries.
Professor Mark Simpson, deputy vice-chancellor at Teesside University, said: "The event brought a range of experts together, highlighting our shared commitment to ensuring young people who feel disconnected from education or employment are not left behind.
"We know there is enormous, untapped potential across our region, and it is our collective responsibility to create opportunities for that to be recognised and nurtured."
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