At KD Recruitment, we believe that shaping the future workforce doesn’t start with job adverts or interviews; it starts in the classroom.
In November 2024, the UK government published a white paper Get Britain Working which includes its vision for a Youth Guarantee, a range of entitlements and provisions for young people to boost their career paths and long-term employability. The strands of this guarantee include, among other things, an ambitious entitlement to two weeks’ work experience for all school and college students in England.
However, according to the Youth Voice Census, only 36% of young people in secondary schools have access to work experience opportunities, and only 38% of those undertook work experience in jobs they were interested in.
Now is the perfect time for employers to get involved.
This new initiative will give every young person the opportunity to step into a real working environment before they leave full-time education. It’s a powerful way to inspire ambition, build confidence, and help students make informed career choices, and it brings real, measurable benefits for businesses too.
Why Your Business Should Be Part of This
Engaging with schools and colleges helps bridge the gap between education and employment. By offering work experience placements, career talks, site visits or virtual sessions, and real-life projects, you’re not only helping shape a young person’s future, you’re also opening your doors to future talent who could one day become your apprentices, entry-level recruits, or even long-term employees.
For employers, this can:
- Support your talent pipeline by identifying promising young individuals early
- Introduce students to apprenticeship routes, especially in industries facing skills shortages
- Strengthen your reputation as a great place to work, building long-term brand awareness among students, parents, and teachers
- Showcase your values and culture to a wider audience across the region
- Support your CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) by giving back to the community
- Boost staff engagement, especially when employees get involved as mentors or ambassadors
These aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re strategic moves that help businesses stay competitive and connected in their local communities.
Partnering for Impact
Working with a Business Education Partnership (BEP) like NYBEP, based in York, makes the process smooth and effective. NYBEP partners with schools and colleges across the region, helping businesses like yours deliver meaningful experiences of the workplace. Whether you’re a large employer or a small business, they offer practical guidance and support to help you make an impact.
Our Director, Kelly Dunn, is proud to be a Board Director at NYBEP and is a passionate advocate for early career engagement. Each year, she volunteers with NYBEP and the Scarborough Business Ambassadors to support Scarborough STEM Week, a flagship event that connects students with careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths. It’s hands-on, interactive, and a brilliant example of how employers can work together to inspire and inform.
“You never know the impact you might have just by showing a student what’s possible,” says Kelly. “That short conversation, that insight into your world, could be the moment that shapes someone’s entire future.”
Let’s Build the Future Together
With skills shortages continuing across multiple sectors and competition for young talent rising, engaging with students now is a smart move. Whether it’s through offering work experience, supporting careers events, or exploring future apprenticeships, these activities can help position your business as an employer of choice. Not just for today, but for years to come.
The next generation is full of potential. Let’s open the door and help them walk through it.