Welcome
Welcome to the second 2025 edition of our quarterly Champion & Change magazine The focus of this issue is Experience - a key pillar of our Good Youth Employment Benchmark that focuses on the vital role that employers play in helping young people explore, engage with, and enter the world of work.
We’ve brought together the latest early career insights, best practice guidance, and sector updates to support your organisation in shaping meaningful, inclusive experience opportunities for young people.
With the recent updates to the Gatsby Benchmarks, two-way workplace experiences are becoming an increasingly essential part of employer engagement Reflecting this, the Department for Education has issued new statutory guidance requiring all pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4 to be offered two weeks of meaningful work experience
From September 2025, schools, colleges, and ITPs will be expected to embed these changes into their careers programmes. As a result, the spotlight is firmly on employers to provide experiences that not only open young people’s eyes to new career paths but also help them connect classroom learning with real-world skills.
However, while our 2024 Youth Voice Census showed a promising rise in work experience access (particularly among 14–16 year olds), there is still a widening work experience gap. Just 36% of young people reported having access to work experience in secondary school, and still too many consider it their biggest barrier to accessing work.
That’s why in these pages, you’ll find practical guidance on creating inclusive, accessible, and impactful work experience placements. We also explore how to ensure experiences are meaningful, benefiting both young people and your organisation
Whether you’re just beginning to scope your work experience offering or you’re refining an established programme, we hope this edition provides fresh insights and useful tools to help you take your next steps with confidence Because experience isn’t just a bonus for young people - it’s transformative
LaurenMistry Deputy CEO
WHATWE’VEBEENUPTO
As the second quarter of 2025 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on an action-packed few months filled with conversations, collaborations, and calls to action - driven by one unifying goal: amplifying young people’s voices and improving their pathways into education, training, and employment Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been up to:
Youth Voice Census 2025
Throughout Q2, our 2025 Youth Voice Census was live and gathering momentum We’re thrilled to report that more than 10,000 young people (aged 11–30) engaged with the Census, sharing their experiences, challenges, and ambitions around mental health, well-being, education, and work.
As part of our Census campaign, we hit the road for Your Say Day events, a nationwide push to encourage everybody to carve out time for young people to complete the Youth Voice Census.
Our team visited colleges across the UK, sharing the Census survey and sparking conversations about mental health, career aspirations, and the reality of job‐hunting
Having youth unemployment and NEET figures at record highs, these anonymous responses will provide us all with an invaluable snapshot of what life is really like for young people across the UK right now
A massive thank you to everyone who shared the Census and to every young person who took time out of their day to share honest reflections - you’ve all contributed to what will be real, positive change
Our team will be analysing the Census data, and our insight-full report will launch in September 2025. This unique snapshot will directly inform government policy, shape educational reforms, and guide employer initiatives. Understanding genuine youth opinions helps educators, employers, and policymakers like you make evidence‐based decisions that really shift the dial.
Sector Engagement
We’ve also spent Q2 in many auditoriums, boardrooms, and virtual meeting rooms - keeping youth employment front and centre: Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE DL was appointed Chair of the Youth Guarantee Programme Board for the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (a Youth Guarantee Trailblazer) As part of this work, she will help drive the strategic direction of the Trailblazer’s priorities and recommendations for shaping local and national policy
Lauren Mistry joined sector peers to celebrate best practices in work experience at the Movement to Work Summit. From micro‐internships to virtual mentoring, the Summit spotlighted innovative ways to dismantle barriers.
At the Health and Wellbeing at Work Conference, Lauren Mistry co‐presented with Sharon Blyfield OBE (Youth Employment UK Board Member and Head of Early Careers and Apprenticeships at Coca-Cola Eurpacific Partners) in a session on Setting Good Youth Employment Standards Together, they discussed how employers can ensure young recruits receive not just technical training, but also holistic support - covering mental health, financial literacy, and career coaching
Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE DL, had the honour of chairing the inaugural City & Guilds Foundation Transitions Commission. This commission is focused on improving the bridge between education, training, and employment for young people - an especially pressing need given current youth unemployment and NEET rates. With funding cuts to ESFA and other traditional grant pots, frontline organisations face rising costs and rising complexity f d ki d d
COMING UP
Dates for your diary
Youth Employment Week
7th - 11th July 2025
Keeping the Talent Tap On (Webinar)
7th July 2025
A Day at Buckingham Palace
Our CEO Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE DL and Deputy CEO Lauren Mistry represented Youth Employment UK at Buckingham Palace. This memorable afternoon was held to celebrate and recognise the remarkable contributions of those working across education and skills.
Laura-Jane reflected, “Standing there among so many changemakers, I felt immense pride in how far we’ve come - and how much further we’ll go ”
Supporting Student Success: Free Resources for Employment Transitions (Webinar)
9th July 2025
Youth Voice Census Report Launch
16th September 2025
Good Youth Employment Benchmark Opens
September 2025
Youth Employment Week2025
Youth Employment Week is an annual celebration of young people and employers. Now in its 3rd year, this event will take place from 7 - 11 July 2025
We’re inviting employers, educators and supporters of young people to share the stories, opportunities and events that will help young people at every stage of their career journey.
Together, we’ll connect young people to the jobs, training, and insight they need to grow their careers.
MONDAY 7TH
Opportunity for all
All about sharing good quality and inclusive early careers, helping young people find unforgettable experiences
TUESDAY 8TH
Lifelong Learning
Dedicated to encouraging lifelong learning to help young people boost their skills confidence
THURSDAY 10TH
Here to Help
The chance to share your expertise on applications to help young people excel when applying for roles in your industry
WEDNESDAY 9TH
Discover Careers
Focused on inspiring the next generation and supporting them through their career journey and pathway options
FRIDAY 11TH
Celebrating Success
A time to celebrate all that is good about youth employment. Use the opportunity to share your journey and success stories.
HowtoGetInvolved
JULY
7
Webinar - Open to All
12:00PM-1:00PM
Keeping the Talent Tap On
As the employment landscape continues to evolve, creating space for the next generation isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s a smart investment in future workforce sustainability
Together, we’ll consider how employers can respond to the current youth employment landscape and take practical steps toward future-focused attraction and retention.
Speakers:
Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE DL, CEO of Youth Employment UK
Lauren Mistry, Deputy CEO of Youth Employment UK
Download Your Guide to Youth Employment Week 2025
This guide features daily themes, activities, and social media prompts to help you highlight and celebrate youth employment.
DOWNLOAD YOUR GUIDE
Youth Employment Week Countdown Checklist
Use this checklist to help you prepare your activities during Youth Employment Week 2025
Mark the 7 - 11 July in your calendar and plan your Youth Employment Week activities for the week, including reaching out to your local school or college
Members: share your live opportunities with us to feature on the Opportunity Finder and take advantage of our additional campaigns
Plan your social prompts for each day based on the themes
Register for our exclusive employer Webinar: Keeping the Talent Tap On
Connect with @YouthEmploymentUK on LinkedIn and other social platforms. Use #YEW25 and #YouthEmploymentWeek to share how you’ve joined in with Youth Employment Week.
POLICY NEWS
Latest reports, government developments, and policy news that impact the youth employment landscape.
APPG Inquiry Findings: Helping Employers Back the
Youth Guarantee
Following an inquiry into how employers can be supported to engage with the Youth Guarantee, the APPG for Youth Employment has released its full report and key findings.
With just under one million young people currently identified as NEET (not in education, employment or training), the need for urgent and effective action has never been greater As the eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers begin piloting interventions to tackle this, the success of the Youth Guarantee will rely on strong employer engagement
The APPG inquiry, launched in response to the Government’s evolving strategy, sets out three shortterm recommendations for the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers and three longterm recommendations to guide systemic change.
A huge thank you to our APPG CoChairs, Mims Davies MP and Rosie Wrighting MP, for their continued leadership in championing youth employment.
Mims Davies MP, Co-Chair APPG for Youth Employment, said, “Throughout our sessions, we heard clear messages from employers who are eager to support young people but often feel held back by a system that is fragmented and difficult to navigate
We also heard from youth employment specialists, educators and policy experts about the opportunities to simplify engagement, improve coordination and create more enabling environments for businesses of all sizes ”
We were also proud to have our employer Members - Nestlé, Central Co-op, and Lloyds Banking Groupshare practical insights on recruitment, skills development, and engaging young people across a diverse range of industries. Their contributions helped ground the conversation in real-world action.
This is just one of the many benefits of being part of Youth Employment UK Membership - not just hearing the conversation, but helping to shape it.
Recommendations for Youth Guarantee Trailblazers
Short Term
1. Provide Targeted Financial Support for SMEs: Support small businesses with wage subsidies and grants to boost youth employment.
2. Expand and Strengthen Brokerage Services: Enhance local connections to connect young people and employers effectively
3. Implement Quality Frameworks: Ensure youth programmes are inclusive, meaningful, and promote long-term growth
Long Term
1. Establish Clear, Crossdepartmental Leadership: Appoint a Minister to coordinate youth employment efforts across government.
2. Invest in Comprehensive Wraparound Support: Provide sustained support for young people facing complex barriers.
3. Launch National Communication Campaigns: Promote the benefits of hiring youth through targeted campaigns.
Download the full report to see the insight gathered that formed the basis for the evidence-backed short-term and long-term recommendations.
Navigating Change: What’s Next for Youth Employment Policy?
DR FIONA ALDRIDGE CEO OF THE SKILLS FEDERATION
LAURA-JANE RAWLINGS MBE DL CEO OF YOUTH EMPLOYMENT UK
In this unmissable webinar, our expert speakers explored the future of youth employment From rising unemployment figures to new legislation and shifting labor market trends, the panel tackled the most pressing challengesand opportunitiesahead.
KATE SHOESMITH DEPUTY CEO OF THE RECRUITMENT & EMPLOYMENT CONFEDERATION
Key insights included the importance of addressing youth inactivity, upcoming changes to workers’ rights, and strategies for stimulating economic growth
Click here to watch the session ondemand.
On-DemandInsights:Latest WorkExperienceWebinars
From opening doors to future talent to aligning with education and skills policy, work experience is evolving - and getting it right matters more than ever Our latest webinars explore how employers can deliver high-quality, meaningful experiences that support young people and strengthen recruitment pipelines
Watch the webinars below to enhance your organisation’s strategy.
What Employers Need to Know About Modern Work Experience
Lauren Mistry (Youth Employment UK) and Nicola Hall (Careers & Enterprise Company) dive into what modern work experience really means - covering Gatsby Benchmarks, inclusive design with the equalex approach, and how to embed placements into your long-term strategy
Member Connect: Work Experience in Focus
Leading employer Members shared insights on what it really takes to deliver meaningful, inclusive work experience. LauraJane Rawlings (Youth Employment UK) was joined by Severn Trent and Careers in Racing to spotlight real-world strategies, lessons learned, and approaches that work.
Catch up now to hear what works, what will transform your strategy, and how to stay ahead
Creating Opportunity for All: Inclusive Work Experience
Lauren Mistry (Youth Employment UK) and Laura Davis (BASE) explore how to design work experience that works for every young person - including those with additional needs Learn how to remove barriers, adapt placements with confidence, and apply supported employment principles to your own programmes
INSIGHT WITH INSIDERS
To understand what makes work experience truly meaningful, we turned to those who know best - our volunteer Youth Ambassadors.
Rylie, Youth Ambassador
Clear feedback from employers is so important. It helps young people understand what they did well, where they can improve, and what’s next. Just as crucial is showing the range of opportunities within the organisation or sector. From entry routes to apprenticeships so that short-term experience can lead to long-term ambition.
Husna, Youth Ambassador
Before work experience, employers can help young people feel welcome by offering a short briefing session before the placement begins
This could be a 15–30 minute call 1–2 weeks in advance to introduce themselves, explain their role, share what the team does, and give an overview of what the student can expect during the placement. It helps ease nerves and shows that the employer genuinely cares about creating a positive and supportive experience.
During my work experience at a physiotherapy clinic, I was lucky enough to take part in a hydrotherapy session run by the physiotherapist I was shadowing It was a powerful moment - I got to put myself in the shoes of the patient and experience how physically demanding it was, even without any injuries of my own That hands-on experience helped me understand the patient journey more deeply and made the placement much more meaningful
I think more placements should involve students in practical ways (within reason and Health & Safety guidelines), as it offers real insight and can either inspire or help someone realise whether that career is right for them.
After the work experience, it would be great to stay in touch with someone from the team e.g. through a mentorship programme That ongoing connection could help me explore opportunities in their field, stay informed about roles, and receive helpful resources or event recommendations. It would also mean a lot if employers offered a personalised reference letter or LinkedIn endorsement at the end of the placement it’s a small gesture that can make a big difference when applying for future opportunities
Jonathan Foot Member Spotlight:
Director of Skills and Early Careers
Compass Group UK & Ireland
We heard from Jonathan Foot, the Director of Skills and Early Careers at Compass Group UK and Ireland about the experiences they offer to young people
Read about the ambitions behind their experience strategies and what advice they would give to other employers who want to build their own
What types of experience programmes do you offer to young people at Compass Group UK and Ireland?
“The hospitality sector is often overlooked as a career choice for young people However, we believe it has a critical role to play in helping young people into meaningful work
We are an exciting industry – a diverse place with brilliant opportunities and unique experiences It’s an industry without barriers, with no specific qualification requirements for many roles, and we can provide skills training, career opportunities and flexibility We are in a unique position to help bridge the skills gap, especially for young people.
Compass launched its Our Social Promise commitment, with the aim of positively impacting one million lives by 2030. Part of this is supporting people into work and helping them thrive and progress but creating an inclusive and accessible environment.
Our programmes include:
Junior Chef Academy: Aimed at children aged between 14 and 16, the
Junior Chef Academy is not just about teaching cooking techniques, but also helps build confidence, foster creativity, and inspires the next generation of culinary talent Over the 10-week programme, aspiring junior chefs embark on a transformative culinary journey, honing their skills in mastering fundamental culinary techniques, plus crafting and creating a diverse range of delicious dishes.
Xcelerate with Edgbaston: Our Xcelerate with Edgbaston Regional Community Skills and Learning Hub brings this work to life. Since launch last year we have:
Facilitated the training of 3,500 people Hosted events including careers fairs, culinary and industry competitions and business team meetings Enabled programmes, including Culinary, Barista and Bar Excellence training.
Apprenticeships: We have over 600 people on our apprenticeship programmes and our offer continues to evolve - ranging from a level 2 up to Degree level 6
Sector Work Based Academies: Through our Sector Work Based Academies and Pathway to Apprenticeships, we are able to offer people a route into more formal and long term, paid careers. These give jobseekers who are 16 and over, and claiming benefits, the opportunity to apply for jobs We work with partners such as Pathway Group and Change Please to deliver these within our Xcelerate with Edgbaston hub.
Virtual Work Experience: Compass Group is excited to be launching our virtual work experience platform with Youth Employment UK, which we are confident will lead to success stories in the future just as we have achieved for people that have taken part in other programmes such as sector work-based academies and Junior Chef Academies ”
What impact do these activities have on attracting and retaining young talent?
“These activities give people the vital first rung on the ladder We can then help to train people and give them the skills to progress through our apprenticeships They ensure that people are continuing to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours providing them with the opportunity to grow and climb the career ladder within Compass ”
How does your Membership with Youth Employment UK support your youth employment strategy?
“We are working with Youth Employment UK who have supported and advised us through creating our Virtual Work Experience Programme
This aims to support our school engagement strategy through a Virtual Work Experience Programme, showcasing the hospitality sector and Compass as a great place to begin their hospitality journey.
For Compass, we want to offer opportunities for all, as part of Our Social Promise and this is a great opportunity to promote our industry and Compass as a career route Our Mission to a Million
campaign was set in 2021, with a target to change the lives of one million people by 2030 from within and outside our organisation.
We want to leverage our scale to make a positive difference to the lives of our colleagues and to people in the communities we are part of, and ensuring improving socio-economic outcomes is the golden thread that runs through everything we do.. We are striving to enhance people’s opportunities and change their lives through job creation, education, training, community and charitable engagement ”
What advice would you give to other employers looking to enhance their work experience activities?
“Our advice to other employers would be to: implement a strategy that will create impact set timely targets work closely with community partners and Youth Employment UK, whose professional expertise helps raise our employer profile, ensuring students have the best options to consider as part of their career information, advice and guidance and next steps decision making ”
WORKEXPERIENCE WORKS
Written by Sareena Bains, CEO of Movement to Work
Time and again, young people tell us that the biggest barrier to securing a job is a lack of work experience This is the harsh reality of the "no experience, no job" cycle –one that leaves too many young people struggling to step onto the career ladder
Our Digital Youth Voice survey highlights that NEET young people (Not in Education, Employment or
AMeaningfulPathwayforNEET YoungPeople
Training) often face a range of compounding challenges These include disability, neurodiversity, difficulties with literacy and numeracy, care responsibilities, and limited access to flexible or inclusive work experience opportunities Many also face digital poverty, a lack of IT skills, and broader socio-economic barriers that make accessing the world of work especially difficult.
The Benefits of Inclusive Work Experience
Inclusive work experience benefits both young people and employers. Many young people face unique challenges as they enter the workforce, and while these can make the journey to employment more complex, the right support and accommodations can unlock their potential. When given the opportunity, these individuals bring fresh perspectives, adaptability, and resilience – qualities that can enhance workplace culture and drive innovation
For employers, investing in inclusive work experience isn’t just the right thing to do – it also builds stronger, more diverse teams and helps create a more equitable and future-ready workforce
How Employers Can Deliver Meaningful Work Experience
A meaningful work experience placement should be shaped with genuine intent and thoughtful planning, not treated as a box-ticking exercise.
A truly impactful placement offers more than just exposure to day-today tasks; it helps young people develop key skills such as communication, time management, collaboration, and problem-solving, all within a supportive and inclusive environment where they feel valued and engaged
There is no one-size-fits-all approacheach programme will differ based on the needs of the young person and the organisation.
We encourage employers to take a blended approach, combining new and emerging technologies with established models and frameworks to maximise impact
When done well, work experience becomes a mutually beneficial opportunity: young people gain meaningful insight and skills, while employers connect with future talent and benefit from fresh, diverse perspectives
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Understand Their Needs: Take time to learn about the barriers young people face Collaborate with partners to design placements that are genuinely accessible and reflect a clear understanding of diverse needs.
Be Flexible: Offer adaptable hours and formats Rigid schedules can be a barrier –flexibility can be the difference between participation and exclusion.
To support young people who are outside mainstream education, employers should prioritise understanding, flexibility, and tailored support. To do this, they should: Click here to read
Communicate Clearly: Share written information in advance about what to expect on the first day, who they'll meet, and what the schedule looks like This helps reduce anxiety, particularly for neurodiverse young people
MeasuringtheImpactofyour WorkExperienceOpportunities
One key insight from employers taking part in last year’s Good Youth Employment Benchmark was the need for more support to measure the impact and engagement of their work experience programmes Many recognised this as a missing piece in their current approach and something that could help them improve outcomes for young people and strengthen the value of their programmes internally.
Read below to take a closer look at evaluating the impact of your work experience programme for both participants and your organisation.
We found that only 8% of employers currently offer young people the opportunity to engage with their organisation at the end of a placement - including activities like providing feedback. Yet without this kind of engagement, it becomes much harder to understand what’s working and where improvements can be made
Measuring Your Impact
1. Define what you want to measure
Start by outlining your overall aim: why does your organisation want to offer work experience?
2. Decide what your priorities are
To narrow down what you need to measure, define what success will look like. For example, do you want to: Reach underrepresented groups Provide equal access of opportunities for all young people Increase participation in STEM subjects
3. Identify what resources you need
You’ll need to review what tools and resources you have at your disposal to do this, including your time and staff
How to Gather Feedback
Surveys: Gathering feedback doesn’t have to wait until the end Use short surveys or scheduled check-ins at key points during the placement to monitor how participants are progressing This real-time feedback can help identify and address any issues early, while also capturing insights on what’s working well as the experience unfolds
Exit interviews: Conduct exit interviews with participants at the end of the work experience programme and ask for their honest insights and feedback. Ask questions about their overall impressions and experience of the programme, any highlights, areas for improvement, and recommendations for the future.
Focus groups: focus group discussions can help to facilitate interactive conversations about their experiences. Encourage participants to express their opinions, share common experiences, and provide feedback on specific aspects of the work experience programme.
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BenchmarkReturns
The Good Youth Employment Benchmark tool allows you, as an employer, to measure and monitor your current youth employment practices, and get access to tailored information, advice and guidance to grow the quality of your early careers interactions and programmes
The Benchmark Opens Again in September 2025
Access to the Benchmark is available through Youth Employment UK Membership. As a Member, you’ll also get:
By completing the Benchmark, you will: understand what is working within your youth employment practices discover how you can develop additional processes to enhance your strategy contribute to a national employer report get access to tailored resources that support your next steps A dedicated Account Manager providing ongoing support Entry into our Good Youth Employment Awards