A major Chester conference will look at ways young people can be supported to move into further education, training and employment after school.

Taking place at Chester Racecourse on Thursday 15 October, the conference will focus on leading the region's response to the National NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) Crisis.

Senior figures from the University of Chester will attend the event, with professor Sue O'Brien and Dr Emma Arya-Manesh among the speakers and panellists at the Where Possible Happens 2026 conference, organised by the Petty Pool Trust

Delegates will discuss what can be done differently and together to create better routes into education, training and employment for young people across the region, particularly those with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and additional needs.

The wider programme will feature voices from across the region, including Oly Newton, founder of LightsOnXP, Jamie Christon, CEO of Chester Zoo, Stuart Manifould, CEO of The Dome Youth Zone, and Lisa Edge, founder and CEO of GB Shared.

Joshua Robhes, director of Operations at WeMindTheGap, will also attend, alongside Suzie Henderson, creative director of Storyhouse, Eve Harrison, influencer and founder of Let's Make a Difference, and Keren Coney, senior lecturer in career development at the University of Derby.

Professor Sue O'Brien, head of the School of Education at the University of Chester, will chair a panel exploring early prevention and keeping young people in education.

She said: "We'll explore what early intervention and opportunity really looks like, how we recognise when and why young people are beginning to disengage, and what needs to happen to help them stay motivated and connected to education, training and their future possibilities."

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The University Careers and Employability Service is funding seven student places at the conference, ensuring students can contribute their voices and perspectives to the discussions.

Angie Standish, Head of Careers and Employability at the University said: "Supporting our students to be part of these conversations is incredibly important to us.

"Their recent experiences of UK education bring fresh perspectives and valuable insights. The students who joined us last year made a strong contribution, sharing their experiences, ideas and passion for making a difference."

You can find further information on the conference here.