Welcome
Welcome to the first 2025 edition of our quarterly Champion & Change magazine. We’ve brought together early careers insight, best practice guidance, and youth employment news for organisations across the UK
The focus of this issue is Explore - a key pillar of our Good Youth Employment Benchmark that focuses on how employers can inspire, engage, and raise the aspirations of young people before they enter the workforce
This focus couldn’t be more timely. Right now, 1 in 8 young people in the UK are NEET, with this figure at an 11-year high. It’s a sign that we all need to take action.
Research shows that multiple encounters with employers significantly reduce a young person’s risk of becoming NEET, making early engagement a crucial investment.
But how can employers ensure they’re reaching the young people who need it most? And how can they maximise their return on investment while doing so?
In this edition, we’ll explore recent industry developments and best practices that you can apply to your own strategy
Last year, our Members supported over 40,000 young people through Explore opportunities. One of the most powerful lessons learned was the importance of including young voices in shaping these experiences By listening to their feedback and perspectives, we can create more impactful, effective programmes that truly resonate
As we prepare to launch one of our biggest projects of the year, the Youth Voice Census, we invite you to join us in exploring how we connect, support, and uplift the next generation. Gathering national youth insights, our annual Census opens again on 31st March 2025, which you can read more about in this edition.
Laura-Jane RawlingsMBEDL CEO & Founder
WHATWE’VEBEENUPTO
Youth Employment UK were pleased to support the Department for Education's NEET team to review the guidance given to Local Authorities around identifying and supporting young people at risk of being NEET.
For the last two years, we have been working with The Careers & Enterprise Company to review the challenges around NEET identification and to look at NEET prevention. We know that it is a complex landscape and, over the years, the resources and accountabilities at a Local Authority level have changed significantly, but it is critical that we improve data collection, insight and an understanding of what works for the groups of young people at risk.
Our CEO and founder, Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE DL, held an Employer Forum discussion with our Members and partners They talked about skills and what it will take to shift the dial for young people and employers The
Employer Forum will be producing some practical outputs such as insights, best practice, case studies and tools to help address the youth employment challenge we are collectively passionate about.
We have been on the road at conferences and events across the quarter too. Most recently, we were delighted to share our Good Youth Employment Benchmark and Youth Voice Census insights at the ATC conference in Liverpool. We discussed setting the Good Youth Employment Standards and were joined by Sharon Blyfield, Head of Early Careers at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Youth Employment UK board member, at The Health and Wellbeing Conference. Throughout Quarter 1, we have shared our insights with over 400 employers and stakeholders at events including Active Uprising, Navigating the Skills Sector Through Change and the NSN Conference
Expanding Youth Employment UK Board
We are delighted to introduce Youth Employment UK’s new board members:
Ciara O’Donnell
Ciara started as an apprentice and has since transitioned into a Technical Author role, bringing firsthand experience of career pathways for young people.
Charlotte Bosworth
Charlotte has dedicated her career to education, assessment, and qualification development, ensuring the highest standards in learning and skills ment.
Jennifer Coupla
Jennifer has led and delivery acr government departments, sh skills, education training policy f 20 years.
John Cope
John played a pivotal role in integrating apprenticeships at UCAS and shaping England’s skills system through the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education.
A Look at Our Latest Webinars
We hosted an insightful webinar in partnership with NCS Trust, led by Dr Rupal Patel, Policy & Research Director at Youth Employment UK
The session focused on:
The importance of youth enrichment programmes for longterm career development
How to create a supportive and inclusive workplace environment for young talent
Real-world examples of successful employer-led youth initiatives from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Flying Futures.
Missed the live session? You can still catch up and gain valuable insightswatch the full webinar now!
COMING UP
Dates for your diary
Youth Voice Census Closes
31st March 2025
Your Say Day
28th April - 2nd May 2025
Youth Voice Census Closes 6th June 2025
Youth Employment Week
7th - 11th July 2025
In this webinar, Lauren Mistry, Deputy CEO of Youth Employment UK, explored key apprenticeship retention challenges, including key dropout factors and headline labour market statistics
We heard from Annum Mahmood from Youth Futures Foundation on new best practice research and best practice for apprentices from marginalised groups.
Our Youth Ambassador Rylie shared her experience as an apprentice in construction.
This exclusive discussion is available to Members only - join today to gain access to expert insights like these!
YOUTH VOICE CENSUS 2025
What is the Youth Voice Census?
The Youth Voice Census has always been a space for young people across the UK to share their experiences.
It acts as an annual temperature check on how young people in the UK feel about life, study, work and general prospects.
It captures insights from young people about what systems are working for them and where additional support is needed across education, training, accessing work and being in work.
What did we hear in 2024?
Last year we hit a milestone, capturing the views and experiences of more than 5,200 young people aged 11-30 from across the UK. We learned about the realities young people face...
1. Anxiety continues to impact young people, it is one of the biggest barriers young people face
2. Confidence continues to decline for those in education
3. Fewer spaces and places for young people to engage and develop themselves
4. Overall, work is a positive place for young people ... but what will 2025 reveal? What has changed, and what challenges remain?
Sponsoredby
GET INVOLVED. CREATE CHANGE.
YourSayDay
We’re calling on organisations and educators to amplify youth voices by dedicating time for young people aged 11-30 to complete the Youth Voice Census.
This is your chance to help shape the future of education, work, and life opportunities for young people while gaining valuable insights about young people today.
HowtoGetInvolved
Help amplify young people's voices by sharing the 2025 Youth Voice Census
You can download a range of resources - including email and social media assets - to make it easy for you to spread the word and show your support.
Help us ensure more young people are heard and represented.
Every share makes a difference - let’s create change together! 28APRIL-2MAY 2025
POLICY NEWS
Latest reports, government developments, and policy news that impact the youth employment landscape.
Record High for Not Earning or Learning
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show the continuation of an alarming upward trend in unemployment figures for 1624-year-olds.
Back in November 2024, when NEET figures rose 8% to 946,000, CEO of Youth Employment UK, Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE DL, said the consistent rise in NEET young people (not in education, employment or training) should act as a warning for us all.
Figures released in February show a further increase with 987,000 16-to 24-year-olds not in work, education or training at that time To put that into perspective, that’s approximately one out of every seven people in that age group
“The alarm bells have been ringing for too long, young people and the systems set up to support them are in crises. 1 in 8 young people are NEET today, what clearer signal do we need to take action?
The Youth Guarantee is an ambitious plan, it is one that will take time to achieve and requires our full support. As an organisation, we will support by bringing together our 13 years of expertise, employers members, local and national policy makers and crucially the voices of young people. Our digital service will be a transformational part of the offering
We have the mandate to build a Youth Guarantee that leaves no one behind and starts today ”
What do we know about the individuals behind these numbers? Click here to read what our Youth Voice Census tells us about NEET young people in the UK.
Laura-Jane RawlingsMBEDL CEO & Founder
Where are the 8 Youth Guarantee Trailblazer Areas?
Launched as part of the Get Britain Working white paper, the Youth Guarantee aims to support 18- to 21-year-olds in accessing apprenticeships, training, and employment support.
8 English regions (known as Trailblazers) have been selected to pilot the initiative, with a £45 million investment kickstarting the project:
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough
East Midlands
Liverpool
London (2 currently unconfirmed locations)
Tees Valley
West Midlands
West of England
Click here to explore:
Why these Trailblazer areas were selected
The aims of the Trailblazer areas
What the 8 Trailblazer areas will do
How much funding is being provided
What will happen to non-Trailblazer regions
APPG for Youth Employment Launches Inquiry into Employer Engagement for the Youth Guarantee
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Youth Employment is pleased to announce the launch of its latest inquiry, focusing on how to increase employer engagement for the Youth Guarantee.
The inquiry was launched on 19th March 2025 and will be open for written submissions. Click here to read more about the inquiry and its impact, and find out who is involved.
GCSE Attainment: Exacerbating Disadvantage
In 2024, 175,898 students failed to achieve a standard pass in GCSE Maths, and 181,682 students did not pass their GCSE English.
Several factors including changes in curriculum, grading systems and the wider educational landscape have contributed to achievement level variations over the
years, with significant fluctuations seen due to the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
However, persistent trends, such as the widening disadvantage gap and significant regional disparities in attainment have continued to deepen the inequalities that affect young people’s opportunities.
Click here to explore why this matters to employers and what you can do
ConnectingwithSchools: EngagementOptionsfor EveryEmployer
When you work with schools, you have an opportunity to shape young people’s career aspirations, offer them valuable insights into your sector, support them as they transition from school to the workplace, and show them opportunities they may not otherwise have known about
Discover ways you can work with schools regardless of the resources you have available
Getting Started
Offer a careers talk. Giving a talk at a school will cost you nothing but time. If you can put together a simple presentation and spare an hour to deliver a talk, you can make an impact on an entire class or assembly of young people
Offer work shadowing days.
This allows young people to learn more about a particular role or career path, ask questions, and make more informed decisions about their career aspirations. They are a great way to support an enthusiastic individual or small group
Expanding Efforts
Create a mentorship scheme.
Pair students with staff who can provide advice, insights, and support. This is a great option for businesses looking to work with older students or engage those who are already interested in your field
Develop careers and employability workshops. Many young people feel that they did not leave school with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the world of work. These activities are a great way to equip a class of young people with skills and confidence to empower them for the future
Building Commitment
Create a work experience or internship programme. Allow enthusiastic young people to spend time immersed in your organisation, learning about your industry and gaining hands-on experience. Most schools in the UK offer students work experience in Year 10 or 11
Form an ongoing strategic partnership. A strategic partnership with your local school is a valuable relationship that can allow you to support more young people and gain access to the best young talent year after year.
BOOSTYOURSTRATEGY WITHMEMBERSHIP
JOIN A COMMUNITY
Youth Employment UK is a membership organisation, supporting employers to make a difference in creating better work opportunities for young people
WhyChooseMembershipWithUs?
RECOGNITION AS AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE
Proudly display the Good Youth Employment Badge to show your commitment to young people and early careers Also gain entry into our annual Good Youth Employment Awards.
EXPERT INSIGHT & BEST PRACTICE
Access to an extensive catalogue of exclusive resources on youth employment best practices and strategies via our members' dashboard.
UpgradetoRecruit
Our recruitment package allows you to showcase your brand and advertise your early careers opportunities with us
For just £500 a year our Members can post unlimited early career vacancies and opportunities.
EXCLUSIVE EVENTS & AWARDS ENTRY
Regular series of exclusive in person and online events, including policy updates and our end of year conference and awards.
Member Spotlight:
SeanSimara
Careers Marketing and Recruitment Executive at
British Horseracing Authority / Careers in Racing
We heard from Sean Simara, Careers Marketing and Recruitment Executive at the British Horseracing Authority (Careers in Racing), about their youth engagement strategies
We explored how they introduce young people to racing careers, and how Careers in Racing nutures their passion for the industry
What types of programmes, activities and events do you offer to help young people learn about careers in racing?
“We pride ourselves on showcasing the various routes in the horseracing industry for young people to start their career.
We attend various careers-based events across the country promoting the sport to students, teachers and careers advisors We also host a series of our own Explore Racing Days.
These are events where guests can attend a live raceday with us for a career focussed experience. We usually find that many parents attend, and this helps us explain the career options available for young people
The events include finding out how a raceday operates from behind the scenes, to the journey of the horse on a day and even finding out how to market a high-profile event such as Royal Ascot They are free for all to attend, and we provide support and networking links after the event to help guide those that want to start a career in racing ”
What impact do these activities have on attracting and retaining young talent?
“Attracting new talent to the sport of horseracing can be very rewarding.
We are often their first engagements with the sport, and it is rewarding seeing where that person might end up.
We have many activities on our exhibition stand that help engage people we come across from having a go on the horse simulator to test your jockey skills or experiencing our VR headsets where you can ride in a race at Newbury Racecourse
These interactive activities provide us the opportunity to speak with individuals on what the sport has on offer and what they can do, many of which they haven’t thought of before.
We like to continue to interact with our young talent (or anyone we meet) by encouraging them to register on our newsletter database, so they receive emails designed and tailored to them.
The amount of people we impact can be seen when we see them registering at one of our Training Providers on an Apprenticeship or industry jobs ”
What advice would you give to other employers looking to enhance their early careers engagement activities?
“What we find works well in our sport of horseracing is showcasing it as best we can.
We do this by inviting interested people to attend a live Raceday and giving them behind the scenes access to show them what they can do in the industry Our Early Career Programmes are run in various parts of the country so it
“Promoting our activities across our social media is key for us to attract an audience.
We also have plenty of marketing and careers-based information for individuals to take away with them and a lot of information is available on our website ”
Success Stories - Maya
“Maya was always interested in horses, but her mother was not from a horse background They joined us on one of our Explore Racing Days in Newmarket and Maya decided to gain a little more experience - she joined the team on a bespoke day at a jumps racing course She then joined our Youth Collaboration Group, networking with fellow racing fans of her age on various projects linked to Careers in Racing
Maya pursued her career further at one of our training providers where she embarked on a Level 2 apprenticeship She now finds herself working in the industry as a Work Rider at one of the best flat trainers in the country, Andrew Balding, and is about to finish her apprenticeship ”
“Our interaction and engagement with Youth Employment UK supports our strategy of being in front of young people and showcasing various opportunities available to them.
We use this platform to promote what we do and to showcase opportunities.
We have plenty of video content for young people to see what the working life would be like.
We work hard on retaining staff as an industry so the activity we do with young people is mirrored all the way through racing and its people strategy. 2024 saw 1,333 new joiners in the industry of which 364 were aged 19 years-old and under ”
Click here to explore how Membership can support your organisation
EMPOWERING FUTURES
Written by Oli de Botton, CEO of The Careers & Enterprise Company
TheEvolvingRoleofEmployers inCareerGuidance
In 2012, the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks were introduced to define what world-class looks like and are enshrined in the statutory guidance for schools and colleges.
Ten years on, the Gatsby Benchmarks have been implemented in over 4,700 schools and colleges across England with strong progress.
Following two years of
research and consultation, the Gatsby Benchmarks have been updated to future-proof them so they continue to be the standard for world-class career guidance for young people.
For employers, these updates are particularly significant as they highlight the crucial role businesses play in shaping the futures of young people.
Overview of the Gatsby Benchmark updates
The updated Gatsby Benchmarks maintain their original eight-point framework. The updates centre around five key themes for educators:
1. Careers at the heart of education and leadership: Emphasising that career guidance should be a central component of educational institutions, involving all staff members in its delivery.
2. Inclusion and impact for every young person: Ensuring that career programmes are tailored to meet the diverse needs of all students, providing equitable opportunities regardless of background.
3. Meaningful and varied encounters and experiences: Encouraging flexible and impactful interactions between students and the world of work, broadening their understanding of potential career paths.
4. Focusing on the use of information and data: Promoting the use of data to inform and improve career guidance practices, ensuring they are responsive to current labour market trends
5. Engagement of parents and carers: Recognising the influential role of families in career decisionmaking and encouraging their active involvement in the guidance process
Implications for young people and employers
These updates aim to provide more personalised and comprehensive career guidance for young people, enhancing their readiness for the workforce.
Employers, in particular, are called upon to examine how they work with schools and colleges. By offering meaningful encounters, such as industry talks, site visits, and longer work experiences, businesses can play a pivotal role in preparing the next generation for their working lives.
One of the most important updates for employers is the expansion of what defines a ‘meaningful’ employer encounter or experience under Benchmarks 5 and 6.
Updated definitions state that there should be a clear purpose for each encounter shared with both young people and the employer; appropriate learning outcomes should underpin them and involve extensive two-way interaction between young people and employees
Importantly, virtual encounters and experiences should complement, but never fully replace, in-person experiences
How employers can support meaningful encounters
To create impactful engagements with young people, employers can consider the following approaches:
Workshops and skills sessions: Host sessions that develop career readiness, explore roles and responsibilities and help young people understand growth sectors and the changing economy.
Inclusive recruitment initiatives: Support young people in understanding how the application process works and how to navigate it e.g. offering CV guidance and preparing for interview support.
INTRODUCING OUR 2025 YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME
We’ve reviewed and rejuvenated our successful Youth Ambassador programme for 2025! At the heart of our work lies a powerful commitment: amplifying youth voices Championing our Youth Ambassadors, as well as young people across the UK through our Youth Voice Census allows us to amplify their experiences
EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION
Through this programme, our 11 Youth Ambassadors will share their lived experiences, advocate for change, and engage with employers, policymakers, and industry leaders.
AMPLIFYING YOUNG VOICES FOR MEANINGFUL CHANGE
Our Youth Ambassadors are raising the bar, actively working to improve systems for their peers, playing an important role in supporting the work of Youth Employment UK. Over 14 months, they’ll get various opportunities to share their views and deliver important messages directly to leaders of change.
Gain a deeper understanding of young people’s needs and expectations, and create more inclusive and effective pathways into work with internal youth voice strategies:
Creating a Youth Voice Policy
Youth Voice Forums: How to Make Them Work for You 10 Tips to Create a Youth Voice Panel
I’m very passionate about improving the education system so that students can get the most out of education I would like to be part of changes in educational changes, changes in youth attitudes to education and work, changes in how youth perceive education subjects and education structures, and changes in youth work.
The transition from education to the professional world is underrepresented. Many young people find it challenging to navigate this shift, especially when it comes to finding apprenticeships or job opportunities. I understand how overwhelming it can be to take that first step, and I want to help others by offering guidance and support on their
Brewster
Youth Ambassador & upcoming uni student
Youth Ambassador & NHS Apprentice journey
HowCanEmployersEffectively EngagewithNEETYoungPeople?
Recent ONS labour market statistics estimate that there are 987,000 young people aged 16-24 in the UK who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET). This is higher than any point in the past 11 years. As an employer, you have a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in engaging with these young people and supporting them on their journey towards meaningful employment and a brighter future.
Read our 7 top tips for connecting with young people who have left school or otherwise disengaged.
1. Understand the challenges these young people face
A lack of formal qualifications, limited work experience, socioeconomic disadvantages, or personal barriers can make it feel almost impossible for these young people to improve their circumstances. By understanding the unique circumstances these young people face, you can tailor your approach to support them. You can do this using the annual Youth Voice Census report
2. Connect with community partners
Working strategically with expert organisations, e.g. job centres or targeted intervention groups, can help you meet the needs that exist, and maximise the impact of your initiatives for the young people you are trying to support. Begin by expressing your desire to connect and provide opportunities for disengaged young people. Organisations and agencies are on the front lines of supporting young people and they will be best placed to advise you on your approach
3. Create a supportive and inclusive environment
When young people have disengaged from education or employment, it can be difficult to bring them back in They may not feel as though educational opportunities or jobs are really for them You can counteract this perception by ensuring that your working environment is supportive, inclusive, and non-judgemental.
These values must be apparent to young people from the very first time they interact with you. Encourage open communication, put mutual respect first, provide plenty of support and guidance, and ensure that positive contributions are consistently recognised
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