Our latest impact report for the 2023-24 academic year is now available! Inside you’ll find a whole wealth of information of the work we’ve been carrying out in schools and colleges across the UK over the past 12 months, as well as case studies, interviews and insights into the work and projects we’ve formed with young people and partners such as Verizon Business, Burberry, Juniper Networks, GRP Solutions and Palo Alto Networks.

Gain insight into the past year with stats such as:

There’s also coverage of the 2024 Young Entrepreneurs Challenge, our Young Women in Tech programme, Inpsring Change, Portsmouth Inspires, One Young World, Seed 2030, school and college forums, Changemaker Moments, the release of the fantastic rap track to stand up against Knife Crime and Youth Violence, our General Election Special Events and a whole lot more!

Unloc 2024 Impact ReportDownload

Last Thursday industry professionals from across the country gathered at Verizon’s slick London Hub in at MidCity Place, Holborn, for a Changemaker Moments event on Manufacturing. Hosted by Unloc, our Unloc Changemaker Alliance Members Verizon Business and Juniper Networks, and The Manufacturer – the event welcomed delegates from 25 manufacturing leaders, 25 young people, and members from all three organisations. Together they engaged with panels, explored emerging AI, IoT and robotics, networked, and even enjoyed a speed-mentoring session.

The Manufacturer’s 2024 research revealed that the biggest challenge facing the industry today is Leadership, People, and Skills, with 24% of manufacturing leaders saying this is the most pressing issue. What the research discovered is that that culture and skills are at the root of this. 


The question posed to delegates was ‘How do we do this? How do we rebrand the industry while attracting the talent that will help us do just that?’

This opened the way for much debate and sharing of experiences and thoughts on the current state of the industry, as well as where it’s headed in the coming future. Where are organisations seeing themselves headed – and how do they intend to get there?

During the event the delegates experienced:

The event was buzzing with energy and enthusiasm as business leaders got to hear directly from young people themselves, hear their ideas, their experiences, and where they see themselves posited within the industry.

It was also a great opportunity for business leaders to get to know one another, network and see where their organisations and ambitions align in the industry.

The Unloc Changemaker Alliance, an ambitious initiative dedicated to levelling the playing field for young people from deprived communities by providing them with skills, training and opportunities, has announced that Juniper Networks, a leader in secure, AI-driven networks, has joined the Alliance.

Juniper will be joining a growing collection of existing Alliance members, who are business leaders with a commitment to driving social value in a wide range of industry sectors including education, fashion, communications and manufacturing. 

By joining organisations including Burberry, Verizon Business and Palo Alto Networks, Juniper is supporting Unloc’s work in schools, colleges and communities across the UK. 

A key component of this activity is leveraging the talents, expertise and experiences of Juniper employees who will volunteer as speakers and mentors to help young people from underserved communities to develop life skills and explore the wide range of career pathways available to them.

Gos Hein van de Wouw, Vice President Enterprise, EMEA, Juniper Networks said:

“Juniper has a long-established track record of using our technology and business know-how to support the development and advancement of those most in need in communities worldwide, especially the young and with an eye on the workforce of the future. Therefore, it is a great pleasure for Juniper to become part of the Unloc Changemaker Alliance, enabling our UK workforce to engage with and help young people to acquire business skills, self-esteem and a sense of their own worth. It is also a great opportunity to build strong synergies with existing partners like Verizon Business.” 

Unloc’s Managing Director Hayden Taylor

Hayden Taylor, Unloc’s Managing Director said:
“We are so excited to welcome Juniper Networks to the Unloc Changemakers Alliance. The Alliance is a unique forward thinking and proactive collective of businesses investing in the potential of young people and I know the Juniper Networks team will add immense value. Today’s school and college students are tomorrow’s workforce, and our alliance allows us to deliver programmes and support to disadvantaged young people around the country. I’m particularly excited by the prospect of working with Juniper employees as speakers and mentors in our school and college programmes, helping us to improve young people’s skills, driving their ambition and broadening their career potential.”

With growing momentum surrounding the Unloc Changemaker Alliance, the future looks bright both for the initiative and its impact – but most importantly for the young people and the lives and economy that will benefit from this vital investment in the futures of young people.

For more information about the Unloc Changemaker Alliance, or to watch our short video about this exciting new union of businesses simply visit: unloc.org.uk/alliance

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