Powering Futures x PwC: Putting the Next Generation at the Heart of a Sustainable Economic Future
From left to right - Claire Thomson from Portobello High School, Jocelyn Harcus, Dylin Izatt, Sarah Garvin, Zac Mooney
A panel session and workshop amplifying the voices of Scotland’s future workforce.
In partnership with PwC, Powering Futures hosted a thought-provoking session titled “Putting the Next Generation at the Heart of a Sustainable Economic Future.” The event brought together business leaders, educators, school students, apprentices and early-career professionals to explore the realities facing young people today—and how we can better prepare and support them to thrive.
The aim was simple but urgent: to shift the conversation from talking about young people to listening to them, learning from their experiences, and working together to shape a future in which they’re not just included, but empowered.
Reframing Scotland’s Greatest Resource Opening the session, Powering Futures Co-founder Jennifer Tempany reframed the idea of Scotland’s greatest resource—not oil, gas, or renewables, but its people, particularly young people who will power the future economy. Unless we provide them with the right conditions to succeed, we risk stalling economic progress and widening inequalities.
Panel Reflections: The Transition is Tough The panel, made up of four young professionals and a teacher from Portobello High School, offered honest insights into the challenges and opportunities that define the journey from school into work.
Navigating the school-to-work transition is hard. Young people need more guidance, real-world experiences, and people willing to take a chance on them.
Getting experience is a paradox. They’re often rejected for not having it—but how can you get experience when you’re just starting out?
The impact of Covid still looms large. Panelists shared how lockdown forced them onto unexpected paths, but also taught them resilience and the importance of adaptability
In the post-Covid world of hybrid and remote work, developing interpersonal skills has become more difficult—making real-life, in-person experience even more essential for building confidence, teamwork and communication skills.
A Generation Ready to Contribute One of the clearest messages from the panel: young people are driven, eager, and ready to contribute. They want to be trusted, to take on responsibility, and to make a meaningful impact. But they need mentors, champions, and a strong "back-up team", as Claire so perfectly put it. When given that support, they bring a fresh perspective and valuable energy to any organisation.
What We Learned Together The second half of the session invited mixed tables of young people and business leaders to reflect on three key themes:
Reactions to the panel
The appeal (or not) of green jobs
The role of attitude vs. academic achievement
Key insights from the discussions included:
Opportunities are less visible than industry thinks. Young people aren’t seeing the full picture. The careers landscape is confusing, and businesses need to communicate more clearly, accessibly and directly.
Experience is still a major barrier. Too many are turned away for not having it. That’s where Powering Futures bridges the gap—giving young people hands-on exposure to real challenges and building the in-demand skills employers need.
“Green jobs” don’t resonate. Young people aren’t searching for ‘green’—they’re searching for good jobs: secure, fairly paid, with a clear path and purpose.
Money and security come first. Contrary to assumptions, students prioritised financial stability and career certainty over social or environmental impact.
Peer voices matter. Honest, relatable stories from young people already in the workforce resonate far more than abstract advice.
University feels like the default. Many are heading there because it’s expected—not because they’re sure it’s right for them.
Confidence, not capability, is the challenge. Young people aren’t lacking ambition—they’re lacking clear routes and people to believe in them.
Education and business must work together more intentionally—because both sides have something to learn, and a shared stake in the outcome.
The session closed with Gemma Jones (she/her), Director at PwC, who reflected on the power of the insights and energy shared throughout the morning. She urged attendees to take what they’d heard back to their workplaces, and to ensure this was not just an inspiring conversation—but the start of sustained, collective action.
“Let this not be an echo chamber,” she said. “Share it, act on it, and keep listening.”
This session reinforced several essential truths:
There is no shortage of talent—only a shortage of access, support, and clarity.
Young people want to work, to contribute, and to thrive. They just need people willing to back them.
Trust, empathy, and real-world experience must become the foundation of our approach.
If we are serious about building a sustainable economic future, we must place young people at the centre, not the sidelines.
Let’s meet this moment—not just with good intentions, but with real opportunities.