Strategic Rationale
Addressing Skills Shortages
The UK faces persistent skills gaps, particularly in STEM and technical sectors. Early engagement through work experience helps students make informed subject choices and prepares them for future roles. This proactive approach supports long-term workforce planning (The Careers and Enterprise Company, 2025).
Reducing NEET Rates and Economic Impact
Government Policy Alignment
Young people with four or more employer encounters are 86% less likely to be unemployed and can earn up to 18% more over their careers. Closing the NEET gap could add £69bn to the UK economy (The Careers and Enterprise Company, 2025).
The Department for Education’s updated Employer Engagement Toolkit and the Gatsby Benchmarks (particularly Benchmark 6) make work experience a core component of careers education. Schools are actively seeking sustained partnerships with employers (DfE, 2025; Gatsby, 2024; Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, 2023).
Evidence-Based Impact
career readiness
Research by Education and Employers Taskforce confirms that work experience is one of the top three activities for improving career readiness and academic performance (Developing the Young Workforce Glasgow, 2021).
Improves confidence
Careers & Enterprise Company pilots show structured work experience improves confidence, resilience, and adaptability—skills critical in an AI-driven economy (The Careers and Enterprise Company, 2025).
