The generation we need to inspire has never needed us more. The UK has experienced the fastest rise in youth unemployment of any country in the G8 since the start of the recession. Today, nearly one million young people are struggling to start careers or even find any work at all. At the same time, employers struggle to recruit entry-level candidates with the right skills. Last year, a staggering one in four businesses didn't recruit a single young person. The legacy of the Games will be failure if we don't create opportunities for this generation to be successful.

We have to consider the impact that allowing these organisations to speak in schools has on children. While these speakers don't necessarily express homophobia in their presentations, it would be very easy for students to come across the materials of their organisations which argue against same-sex marriage and LGBTQ rights on the internet, radio, TV, etc. SPUC for example regularly appears in mainstream media.

Having seen the remainder of February fly by and with March nearly in the books, it's remarkable to think that only a small portion of the academic year remains here at Washington College.

Just to make it clear exactly how careless it would be to allow views such as MigrationWatch's or even Mr Harper's to go unchallenged, it is worth revisiting the many benefits of international students to the UK, which are especially compelling in the context of a sluggish economy.

With National Apprenticeship Week 2013 just behind us, it's a perfect time to reflect on the success that Apprenticeships have enjoyed over the past few years. Apprenticeships are becoming ever more popular, with both employers and learners attracted to the excellent career prospects they provide.

Once you have graduated it can be overwhelming to start thinking about your future and deciding what to do next. This isn't helped by the fact that everyone has their bit to say- go travelling, get an internship, join a graduate scheme, but which is the best plan of action?

The global community must renew its promise that no country will be left behind in education due to lack of resources. Further delays will have grave human consequences, especially for the world's most vulnerable children.

The manner in which the government is seeking to introduce apprenticeships serves only to polarise the debate, ensuring that young people are either classified as 'apprenticeship' material, or are left to join the ranks of thousands of graduates competing for the grossly limited number of entry-level jobs.

It may not be a new message but it is one of ever-growing importance - scientists and engineers are vital to our economy and society. Their knowledge and skills are in high demand across a range of sectors, from manufacturing to financial services and everything in between.

So many people who are around the same age as me are finding it hard to get into a job, let alone one that gives you the chance to gain nationally-recognised qualifications. Keeping up with my education has always been really important to me, but it is not always easy to do.

A MBA never hurts, but it is not a golden ticket to a great job, irrespective of market conditions. Academic qualifications aren't a substitute for proven commercial experience and, ideally, a prior relationship of some description with the employer.

Yes, it's the sad truth. Computers are becoming more powerful and they're making our brains less so, the internet is rotting the minds of the university generation. Online procrastination is a scourge with many students spending hours devising ways to avoid its virtual tentacles.

Londoners, brace yourselves! Dale Stephens is coming to town! Dale who? If many people in UK are still blissfully unaware of Stephens, and the UnCollege movement he founded, all that is about to change. With his first book due for UK release this week, and a public talk in London next Monday, the 21-year old 'edupreneur' is determined to shake things up here as much as he has done in the US.

There is a compelling need for more - and better - youth apprenticeships. Long-term youth unemployment is rising as fast as university tuition fees, yet employers are complaining of a lack of skilled labour. It is because there is a black hole of no education and no work-related training into which over a quarter of a million young people are falling every year.

For me International Women's Day is an opportunity to remember some of the incredible women who have helped us win the rights we enjoy today here in the UK. Progress has been slow but this world is unrecognisable to us today, and it is hard to imagine the courage and passion of countless people that it has taken to change this status quo.

Education will give women a greater ability to contribute to the economy, it will help them set up their own businesses, climb the corporate ladder and increase their representation in politics. Access to the education asset is essential in tackling gender inequality and multinational corporations have a proactive role to play.