The Impact of the Youth Guarantee on Employers

Understanding the Shift

Recent surveys found that only 24% of young people surveyed had access to work experience. A large reason for this lies in the lack of placements offered by employers. I hope the guidance being formalised will stimulate more opportunities. Employers should see this as not just community investment but also an extension of their talent pipeline.

The meaning of work experience is also more generalised, with flexibility allowed for virtual work experience. The formal structure of five days' work experience is relaxed to some degree, with one-day sessions now counting towards the total.

Flexible Work Experience Models

For example, year 10 work experience in marketing might involve a two-day project at a local marketing company. In contrast, year 12 work experience might be a full five-day onsite placement working alongside the Marketing Manager. Online work experience is equally valid, allowing students to access opportunities they may not realistically reach while in school. It also addresses concerns about having young people onsite, particularly in fields like engineering.

How Work Experience Feeds the Talent Pipeline

Work experience is a vital cog in developing work readiness. The Careers & Enterprise Company collaborates with schools to create meaningful careers programmes. They lead on modern work experience, often referred to as the Equalex framework.

As part of their support, they run future-skills questionnaires with students. One key result shows that 'work-readiness' is at an all-time low. Students aren’t prepared for the world of work, often because they haven’t had varied workplace experiences by the time they make key decisions.

A study by the Institute of Student Employers found that only a quarter of employers agreed that school leavers were work-ready at the point of hire. Work experience should not be seen as a burden, but as a pathway for the talent pipeline. A week of work experience could lead nicely into a T-Level placement. After that, you might offer that young person an apprenticeship. This roadmap allows you early access to shaping education and learning, helping you mould them into a colleague with the niche skills relevant to your business from a young age.

Putting It Into Practice

The important thing is not to overthink it. Work readiness and work experience aren't just about having a staff member shadow a young person for a week. It’s an opportunity for them to be exposed to a workplace, warts and all.

It may be the first time they’ve written a professional email or sat in a supplier meeting. All these firsts provide insight into their eventual decision-making. I remember meeting a student who didn’t realise they had to apply for days off using annual leave.

The Gold Standard of Work Experience

The gold standard would be a practical task onsite that the young person can contribute to, relating directly to the business and industry. It’s even better if it has a measurable impact on the business. However, this isn’t possible for everyone. Despite risks, insurance, and security constraints, it’s still possible to provide meaningful work experience.

Practical Models Employers Can Use - Project-Setting

Project-setting is one effective method. Think about the core reason behind your business or industry and ask a group of young people to solve a problem.

For example, if you were a highways agency, it could look something like this:

"The government has released a tender for suppliers to bid for. Due to new housing developments, there is significant traffic buildup during rush hours on the main road in the local town. Examine all the local traffic data, geography, and environmental studies, and produce a new road plan to reduce traffic. Cost will also be a factor in success."

This project can be set across a day or multiple days, allowing for greater detail in a final presentation back to your company. To make it more meaningful, you can provide insights into your business and bring along your own apprentices or employees to help and contribute. You might even choose to hold "customer progress meetings" or throw curveballs in the middle of the project to test adaptability.

At the end, the students will have had a meaningful experience and a taste of a day in the life of your industry while learning a mix of professional skills. It’s always important to end with a call to action!

ROI - In Simple Terms

It's not all about social impact; there can be significant returns on investment when done right. A recent analysis by Springpod found that the business case for investing in work experience is a no-brainer.

They discovered that companies investing in work experience reported a 40% reduction in hiring costs. Additionally, 87% of those who completed a programme were more likely to apply for a position. Financially, an American study found that for every $1 invested in high school work experience, it created between $9 and $13 in social value.

That’s a significant return, showing the true value behind supporting local schools.

Summary

Once again, take a listen to our podcast. If you want help understanding how you can get involved, contact me directly or speak to your local careers hub.

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