Event

Career Kick-off at Aston Villa

Fri 2 Oct 2026 · Villa Park · In person

This October we had a great day at Villa Park, teaming up with digital experts and West Midlands employers to give young people from the area a brilliant  ‘Career Kick-Off’ experience.


With AI rapidly changing the way we work and look for work – yet personal interactions remaining as important as ever – the event was designed to equip young people with the skills, confidence and connections they need to succeed in an evolving job market.


They gained practical AI and LinkedIn skills, had professional profile photos taken and had the chance to meet local employers, giving them tangible tools and insights to help them move closer to work.

The event was delivered in collaboration with the Aston Villa Foundation, the West Midlands Combined Authority, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Accenture and the Premier League.


Youth unemployment is one of the biggest challenges our region faces so we must do everything we can to support young people in their search for a rewarding career. Helping them to build confidence and experience in how to search and apply for a job can be just as important as the training and qualifications, especially now that AI is rapidly changing the application and recruitment process. Events such as these give young people the practical support they need to use AI and other digital skills to land their dream job and get on in life.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands,

A huge thank you to everyone involved and to the employers who showed up for young people in the region who are facing barriers to work. Local action like this really matters, and we’re proud of our growing network of employers and partners across the West Midlands, all committed to opening doors and creating lasting change.

Want to get involved? Get in touch to find out more