Midlands businesses prioritise social mobility as talent challenges intensify
Added by Love Business East Midlands | 23 October 2025
Improving social mobility is a priority for an overwhelming 96% of mid-sized businesses in the Midlands, with almost a third (31%) ranking it as their biggest priority, according to BDO’s latest survey of 500 UK mid-sized businesses.
- Improving social mobility a priority for almost all Midlands mid-sized businesses (96%).
- Push for improved social mobility comes as talent challenges increase, with over 40% of Midlands businesses struggling to compete with competitors to access the skills they need.
The Economic Engine survey revealed that businesses in the region are investing in practical ways to support young people and unlock talent. Over a third (36%) of companies polled in the Midlands are using work experience or insight programmes to improve social mobility, while 39% of businesses have employee-led advocacy groups in place.
As Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces plans to increase the numbers of young people gaining a technical qualification, the research also found that 37% of businesses are leveraging the apprenticeship levy to improve social mobility.
This focus on providing direct, hands-on support into the workplace is personal for Midlands business leaders, with many building their own careers on similar opportunities. Half (50%) stated that graduate programmes helped them get started in their career, and over four-in-ten (43%) benefited from work experience and placements to get on the ladder.
The push to improve social mobility comes as talent challenges intensify, with a third (33%) of Midlands businesses surveyed citing plugging skills gaps as their biggest current workforce challenge. Specific barriers include competition from other employers (41%) and difficulties matching pay expectations (35%). Location and lack of transport connections was also flagged by over a third (37%) of surveyed leaders as a challenge when it comes to accessing talent.
Kyla Bellingall, Regional Managing Partner at BDO in the Midlands, said:
“Social mobility matters to the Midlands business community and mid-sized businesses are taking real action to improve access to career opportunities through a range of initiatives – from work experience programmes to leveraging the apprenticeship levy.
“Many of today’s leaders benefitted from similar opportunities and clearly feel a sense of duty to support the next generation. However, providing opportunities to a wider range of young people today is not just driven by personal experience, it’s also about building a resilient workforce for the future and tackling the growing skills gap that’s threatening growth in the region.”
