In May 2025, the Government’s Work Experience Guarantee set out an ambition for every young person to access at least two weeks of meaningful workplace experience before leaving education.

The policy reflects growing concern among employers and educators about skills readiness, career awareness and the transition from school into work.

For businesses, offering work experience is increasingly being positioned not simply as a social good, but as a practical investment.

Employers can introduce young people to their industry as early as Year 7, helping to raise awareness of career pathways that may otherwise remain invisible.

Early engagement can also support longer-term recruitment, allowing businesses to identify and nurture potential talent well before formal hiring stages.

It is also often the first entry on a CV and can play a decisive role in shaping future education and career choices.

Exposure to real workplaces can help young people better understand expectations, workplace culture and the relevance of their studies.

Opportunities range from short placements of one or two weeks to work shadowing, project-based assignments, in-school activities, and virtual or hybrid formats. These flexible approaches allow even smaller businesses to take part without significant disruption to day-to-day operations.

Councillor Heather Delaney, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Business and Skills, said: “Young people are at the heart of everything we do and their potential is infinite.

“Supporting young people is not only the right thing to do, but also a smart investment.

“By offering work experience or engaging with schools through webinars, project work or offering work experience, businesses can inspire their future workforce to build a career with them full of opportunities.

“To help employers get started, there are useful tips from Solihull Careers Hub, part of our Employment and Skills Team. I’d encourage employers to get involved.”

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