Following the Government’s announcement of Skills England, we had the pleasure of speaking with Zoe Wallace, Director of Agent Academy, and Samantha Quinn, Head of Programmes, about their thoughts, experiences, and how they think the new Government’s plans will influence social mobility in the UK. This conversation comes at a pivotal time as the government aims to transform opportunities and drive growth across the nation.

During the discussion with Zoe and Samantha, we explore how their experiences have informed their perspectives, examine their thoughts on the new Government’s proposals, and discover what fuels their optimism for the future.

You’re both clearly very committed to social mobility, as we can see from your work at Agent Academy. Does your personal experience fuel this passion?

Zoe: My experience growing up in Huyton, one of the most deprived areas in England, deeply influenced my understanding of social mobility. My school, St. Thomas Becket, had a limited A-level offer, with some classes having just one or two students enrolled. In 2008, the school along with its A-level provision was demolished. By 2017, there were no A-levels offered anywhere in Knowsley. This highlighted for me the stark reality of the barriers kids in the area faced in accessing quality education.

For me, it was my mum’s journey that showed me the transformative power of education and opportunity. My parents both left school at 16 and when I was born, mum worked in pubs, and my dad was a window cleaner. As my brother and I were starting school, my mum decided to go back to education to do an access course, and later became the first person in our family to attend university. My dad supported her financially by working at Cammell Laird. Through their team effort, she graduated and became a teacher, and later pursued a PhD. Her achievements opened new horizons for our family, and her story has fueled my passion for helping others realise their potential.

At Agent Academy, I see firsthand the barriers that young people from similar backgrounds face. Many of them believe that hard work and educational achievement is enough to change their circumstances, but they often lack the networks and opportunities needed to get started.

Systemic change is the only thing that will make a real difference. I’ve witnessed firsthand our learners getting knockbacks from opportunities because the recruitment system wasn’t created for people like them. At Agent Academy, we work closely with our partners to remove this bias, and when we make this change they land the high-value job! It sounds simple, but it requires collaborative partnership and real change, which isn’t always easy. My goal with Agent Academy is to do everything we can to level the playing field by connecting untapped talent with opportunities, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has a fair chance to succeed.

Samantha: My background as a child of immigrant parents from Aruba and St. Lucia has profoundly influenced my perspective. Their journey, overcoming significant barriers to succeed in medicine and education, instilled in me the transformative power of education and the importance of creating better opportunities for the next generation. My career in education has been a journey through the landscape of social mobility, from my first days as a teacher to my current role at Agent Academy.

I’ve taught students from diverse backgrounds, including the most disaffected and disadvantaged, as well as the most able and supported. This contrast was particularly stark during my seven years as Head of Post-16 GCSE English Resit at a state sixth form college, where I worked with students resitting exams they’d previously failed. Many were young carers, new to the country, or facing multiple challenges.

At a strategic level, my roles as a whole-college pastoral leader, EDI leader, and curriculum leader have given me a broader perspective. I’ve seen how different subjects and support systems interact to shape a student’s educational journey and future prospects. Additionally, my experience as a school governor has shown me how systemic issues can profoundly impact individual students’ lives and opportunities.

The long-term effects of the pandemic, now compounded by the cost-of-living crisis, have disproportionately affected young people in the North. Having seen this play out in real-time, I understand the urgent need for targeted interventions to level the playing field. Social mobility isn’t just about educational attainment. Up to 33% of the career pay gap between disadvantaged and wealthier peers is driven by non-educational factors such as professional networks, family connections, and access to career-preparatory activities. Agent Academy offers a holistic answer to this problem.

The Government has introduced Skills England and made several proposals regarding education, skills, and social mobility in their manifesto. What aspects stand out to you?

Zoe:    Well, I’m definitely excited about the launch of Skills England, as it addresses our fragmented skills landscape and aims to create a cohesive national strategy to boost the nation’s skills. The focus on supporting local areas to develop the skilled workforces they need, especially in sectors emerging or high demand sectors, aligns perfectly with our approach at Agent Academy – place is so important!

The new cabinet is notable for being the most state-educated in history! They also have diverse and direct experiences with the issues they aim to tackle. Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, is the first to have lived in social housing. Bridget Phillipson serves as the Secretary of State for Education after ‘defying the odds’ as a working-class young person herself. James Timpson, who I’ve had the privilege of working with through the Employment Advisory Board Prison network, was appointed Prisons Minister. I know James cares and will apply his years of experience to make a huge difference.

The emphasis on breaking down barriers to opportunity, particularly through the focus on protected characteristics, aligns with our efforts to foster diversity and inclusion. We know, supporting all individuals, regardless of their background, have access to quality education and employment opportunities is crucial for driving social mobility.

Samantha: For me, the launch of Skills England is a promising step. The initiative aims to tackle the ‘rich-poor gap’ in education, which has been widening over the years. Disadvantaged young people are significantly behind their peers by the time they sit their GCSEs. These findings make for devastating reading, as they highlight the unequal opportunities that hold back young people born with the same potential as their wealthier peers. So while educational reforms are crucial, I’m keen to see policies that also tackle the non-educational barriers to social mobility.

I’m also interested in proposals that aim to diversify leadership in all workforces. As someone who has navigated being a minority in educational leadership, I understand the importance of representation. Policies that encourage and support genuine diversity in leadership across industries will have a profound impact on aspiration and attainment for young people from all backgrounds.

I’m looking forward to understanding how the government plans to support businesses in developing more inclusive hiring and progression policies. This is an area where I believe significant gains in social mobility can be made, ensuring that talent is recognised and nurtured regardless of background.

Looking ahead, what gives you hope for the future of social mobility in the UK?

Zoe: I’m hopeful for the future of social mobility in the UK. Our new cabinet’s commitment to a ‘Mission Driven Government’ dedicated to breaking down barriers aligns with the values we hold at Agent Academy. Their focus on creating equitable opportunities and addressing regional disparities is a promising approach to tackling long-standing issues.

Initiatives like Skills England give me hope because it offers a strategic and collaborative framework to meeting the skills needs of the next decade. By bringing together central and local government, businesses, training providers, and unions, it will align with the demands of the economy, fostering sustainable growth.

At Agent Academy, we have seen the profound impact that diverse perspectives and inclusive practices can have on individuals and communities. As these values become more integrated into national policies, I’m optimistic that we will see significant progress in creating a fairer and more inclusive society.

Samantha: What gives me the most hope is twofold: the young people themselves and the incredible enthusiasm from those who support them. The collective effort I see every day at Agent Academy and the enthusiasm from a diverse range of professionals and businesses who support our mission is incredibly rewarding. I feel fortunate to work with people who care, create, and do good work. We collaborate with incredible companies and professionals around Manchester and Liverpool to help everyone achieve their full potential, regardless of their starting point.

Guest speaker sessions are a huge part of our programme’s success, and I’m particularly passionate about exposing our learners to diverse industry perspectives. We’ve had an incredible range of speakers from various fields, and their willingness to support young talent is incredibly motivating. It shows that the desire to foster social mobility extends far beyond the education sector.

Well, you’ve certainly given us something to think about! Thank you for sharing your invaluable insights.

If you are a business or policy maker interested in learning more, please get in touch with the team here.