Delivering the Promise: Futures for All new report on how to Make Work Experience Work for Every Young Person

High-quality work experience has the power to shape futures, build confidence, and unlock new possibilities. Yet today, hundreds of thousands of young people are still being ‘locked out’ of the networks and opportunities that can help them thrive.

To help deliver on the government’s ambition of two weeks of high-quality work experience for every young person, Futures For All – the UK’s leading work experience charity – has published a new policy report setting out practical, scalable solutions.

Futures For All, the UK’s leading work experience charity, has today published a new report offering practical recommendations to help deliver on the government’s ambition of providing two weeks of high-quality work experience for every young person.

Read the full report here

A roadmap for fair, high-impact access

As recent policy announcements signal renewed focus on careers education and smoother transitions into the world of work, this new paper – High-Quality, High-Impact Work Experience for All – sets out a clear and implementable roadmap to scale access in a way that is fair, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of both employers and schools.

Drawing on extensive regional consultations with employers, educators, and local authorities, the report reflects real-world insights from those supporting young people directly – and highlights the building blocks needed to make the national ambition a success.

“This is a moment of real opportunity,” said Nick Brook, CEO of Futures For All. “With the right support in place, we can ensure every young person — regardless of their background — can access meaningful experiences that build skills, confidence and career readiness.”

Breaking down barriers to opportunity

Ahead of the much-anticipated government implementation plan for two weeks' worth of work experience, the report urges meaningful policy and funding reform to break the cycle of disadvantage faced by young people without networks or fair access to opportunity.

The policy highlights the barriers to delivering scalable, high-quality change if the system fails to move beyond frameworks and invest in real infrastructure:

• A national framework that defines and quality-assures real work experience

  Establishing clear standards to ensure every placement is meaningful, skills-based, and safe — not just a shadowing exercise or box-ticking.

• Dedicated investment in schools to plan, prepare and support students' journey

  Funding time and resources in schools to coordinate placements, prepare students effectively, and follow up on learning and outcomes.

• Flex the Growth & Skills Levy or other tax relief systems to unlock employer participation and incentivise employers, especially the SMEs

  Reforming the current levy so that businesses, especially those struggling with capacity and resources, can cover the real costs of delivering high-quality experiences.

• Removal of cost barriers for young people through ring-fenced pupil premium guidance

  Ensuring travel, lunch, clothing or equipment costs aren’t a barrier — with national guidance enabling schools to use existing funding streams fairly and consistently.

• A digital national “marketplace” to democratise access to quality opportunities

  One central, easy-to-use platform where all young people — regardless of postcode or connections — can explore, apply for, and benefit from high-quality work experience.

These are not abstract ideas — they are practical, evidence-based recommendations shaped with input from across the education and employment landscape. The infrastructure is within reach. Now, it’s time to ensure that access is too.

“Some challenges in education take generations to fix — but this isn’t one of them. We’ve built a free national platform to connect young people with real work experience opportunities, at scale. Now we need the government to back it: fund schools to coordinate, and incentivise employers to step up. The infrastructure is ready — let’s fill it with opportunity.”

Join us in unlocking access for every young person

Futures For All stands ready to help deliver on this national ambition — and ensure that every young person has the chance to build skills, confidence, and future career readiness through meaningful work experience.

For interviews, comments, or further information, please contact: press@futuresforall.org 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does high-quality work experience matter for young people?

High-quality work experience builds confidence, skills and real-world insight – helping young people make informed choices about their futures. It supports stronger progression into employment and further education, and ensures every young person can develop career readiness, regardless of their background or networks.

What are the biggest barriers to work experience access?

Many young people face barriers such as limited personal networks, financial pressures, and uneven access to opportunities based on where they live. Employers – especially SMEs – also report challenges including limited time, resources and understanding of how to provide high-quality placements.

What does ‘high-quality’ work experience look like?

It must be safe, skills-based, and supported by preparation and follow-up learning – not just observation or box-ticking. High-quality placements give young people meaningful tasks, insights into a real workplace, guidance from professionals and the chance to reflect on progress and aspirations.

Who are Futures For All and what do you do?

Futures For All (formerly Speakers for Schools) is the UK’s leading social mobility charity focused on improving access to high-quality work experience. Since 2010, our fully funded Speakers for Schools and Work Experience programmes have supported almost 2 million young people from less advantaged backgrounds to explore careers, build confidence and develop skills for the future.

Our work is driven by measurable impact and the difference young people report to their confidence and career ambition.

Read our latest impact report here.

What work are Futures For All doing to shape work experience policy?

“High-Quality, High-Impact Work Experience for All” is Futures For All’s latest report, published in November 2025. The paper draws on regional roundtables in Liverpool and Manchester, with input from employers, educators, local authorities and young people. It sets out practical policy recommendations to support the Government’s commitment to delivering two weeks’ worth of work experience for every young person.

What research has Futures For All published previously?

• 1 in 2 state school students still miss out on work experience — locking hundreds of thousands out of vital skills, networks, and future career confidence. Meanwhile, privately educated pupils often benefit from multiple, transformational placements — organised through privileged access to high-quality networks. https://www.futuresforall.org/_files/ugd/1b2a28_1dede241a5ba4ae88ee1bdb4daff2000.pdf

• According to the government annual survey of employers, among the reasons employers DO NOT offer placements are lack of time/resource (19%) and no suitable roles. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/672a2743094e4e60c466d160/Employer_Skills_Survey_2022_research_report__Nov_2024_.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

What safeguarding support does Futures For All provide?

We have a trained, dedicated safeguarding team who ensures all policies and procedures are up to date and aligned with legislation. They support staff, programme delivery and all our partners — including educators, employers and speakers — to safeguard every student taking part in work experience or inspirational talks.

Visit our safeguarding page here.

How do I access Futures For All programmes – and what do they cost?

Educators, employers and young people can register for access through our online portal, designed to guide users through every step with support from our teams.

All programmes are fully funded and completely free, thanks to the contributions of our partners and supporters.

Register and create an account here.