I OFTEN hear from parents, educators, local organisations, and young people themselves, about their concerns surrounding opportunities for the next generation in Cornwall. People can feel as though they must leave communities they grew up in to achieve their ambitions. That means moving away from friends, families, and loved ones.

I’m determined to bring new opportunities home to Cornwall but part of the challenge is making sure young people know what opportunities are currently available to them locally. We might know the names of the organisations in our area, whether that’s China Fleet Country Club, Cornwall Resources, or Secure Forests, but we may not fully understand what they do, the wide range of employment options available, or the apprenticeships and training routes that they offer.

Having heard these concerns from you, I was determined to do something practical to help. That’s why, alongside Cornwall’s Labour MPs, I raised the need for a Jobs Fair with the Government, and we wrote to the Department for work and Pensions and worked with them to make it happen, bringing dozens of employers together to showcase opportunities for jobs, apprenticeships, and training right here at home in Cornwall.

I’m glad to say that the Jobs Fair was a really great day and a big success. Seeing all those young people, primarily aged 18 to 24 and not in education, employment, or training, speaking directly to employers was really inspiring. It gave them the chance to explore different careers, ask questions and find out what steps they could take to get their foot in the door. It reminded me that our young people don’t want hand outs but just a hand-up, a chance to build a life they love in a place they love.

From our traditional sectors, such as fishing, farming, and hospitality, to growing opportunities in critical minerals, defence, and the energy transition, employers gave their valuable time to talk to young people about the roles available and how to get their foot in the door.

This is all part of the Labour government’s wider work to invest in young people, with two Young Futures Hubs coming to Cornwall, and the Youth Guarantee, which ensures an employment opportunity for young people aged 18 to 24 who have been on Universal Credit (UC) and looking for work for 18 months. We know that getting that first opportunity can be one of the hardest steps, particularly for those who lack experience or are unsure of where to turn. So, I am very glad that this is at the top of the Government’s agenda nationally as well as ours locally.

Cornwall’s Jobs Fair was a really great experience to have delivered, putting the emphasis on our young people and how we can be there to support them. I really enjoyed speaking to everyone there. Thank you to all the organisers and businesses for their efforts, and to the young people who made the trip to the Eden Project. Our Cornish youngsters won’t let anything get in the way of where they want to go and I’ll be supporting them all the way.