Inspiring Future Thinkers: Young People on Place, Productivity and Prosperity

07 Apr 2026

In March 2026, The Productivity Institute (TPI) delivered an interactive workshop for a cohort of 40 Year 12 Business students from Xaverian College, welcoming them to AMBS to explore ideas around place, productivity and prosperity.

Delivered in collaboration with Accenture, the session gave students the opportunity to apply classroom learning to real world challenges and share their perspectives on what makes a successful and productive region.

The workshop built on a successful earlier session delivered in November 2025 as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences, when TPI collaborated with Accenture to host a similar workshop for students from Xaverian college. Following the positive feedback, TPI was keen to repeat the activity and continue engaging young people in conversations about the future of the North West.

The Productivity Institute, based at the University of Manchester, is a UK wide research institute focused on understanding how people, places and firms can boost productivity to improve living standards and regional outcomes. While much of TPI’s work involves collaboration with academics, policymakers and businesses, these workshops reflect the Institute’s commitment to hearing directly from young people about what they value.

The session drew on recent work led by the North West Productivity Forum and the North West Business Leadership Team, which explored what a ‘successful and productive’ North West economy might look like in 2040. Using this as a foundation, students were invited to consider how the region could evolve over the coming decades.

Using the STEEPV framework, students explored social, technological, environmental, economic, political and values based dimensions of change. Working collaboratively, they identified future challenges and opportunities for the North West and proposed actions to improve the region by 2040. The workshop strengthened critical thinking, teamwork and presentation skills, while contributing to a shared vision for the future.

The ideas generated during the workshop were inspiring and reflected the values that matter most to the students. Among the priorities identified were:

• A clean and safe environment – ensuring sustainability and wellbeing for both people and animals
• Freedom of speech, with responsibility and respect for others
• Good jobs and fair opportunities that support personal and regional growth

The session also included discussion about future study and career pathways, including academia, professional services and apprenticeships. Feedback from both students and teachers was extremely positive, highlighting the value of continued engagement between research institutions and young people.