By Matthew Sage | Marketing Executive
Conference Momentum & Regional Collaboration
Over the past few months, our team has been working at pace to build momentum into 2026, and we’re proud to be entering the new year with a growing network of supporters, partners, and young people at the heart of everything we do.
A major highlight has been the lead-up to our Annual Conference 2026, taking place on Thursday, 29 January 2026 at the Hinxton Hall Conference Centre, themed “Young People and Work in the Age of AI.” This flagship event is bringing together employers, educators, policymakers, and civic leaders.
As interest in the conference has grown, so too has our sense of purpose. The agenda reflects a uniquely diverse mix of viewpoints, spanning education, recruitment, policy, and industry, and is designed not only to explore the challenges but to spotlight real solutions that can shape a fairer future for young people.
We are incredibly grateful to the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA), who are supporting access to the conference by funding 100 places for senior school leaders and careers leads, helping ensure that the people guiding young people day-to-day can be part of the conversation and take practical insight back into their schools.
Youth Voice & Big Questions
One of the most powerful developments this period has been the continued leadership of Youth Voices, Form the Future’s youth advisory committee. Youth Voices brings lived experience and insight into everything we do, ensuring our work stays grounded in what young people actually need, not what adults assume they need.
This month, Youth Voices has helped shape our Big Debate at the Annual Conference, selecting the themes, the motions, and the questions for discussion. Their contribution is a vital reminder that conversations around AI and the future workforce cannot happen without the next generation at the table. For many young people, this isn’t a distant policy issue. It’s their reality arriving in real time.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2026, our mission remains the same: a future where every young person, regardless of background, has the confidence, knowledge, and connections to thrive. But as the world of work changes faster than ever, the need for this support is only growing.
AI is reshaping industries, recruitment, and skills expectations at speed. Without intentional action, there is a real risk that young people already facing disadvantage will be left further behind. Not through lack of talent, but through lack of access, guidance, and opportunity.
That’s why we’re so grateful to everyone who supports Form the Future. You’re not just supporting an individual. You’re helping shape the future workforce and strengthening the long-term prospects of our region.
With your continued help, we can reach more young people, create more meaningful employer connections, and ensure that the future of work is one in which every young person belongs.
By Matt Sage | Marketing Executive
By Matt Sage | Marketing Executive
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