Work experience isn’t what it used to be and that’s a good thing. The UK is on the cusp of a real shift in how young people engage with the world of work, moving from a box-ticking placement to a modern, structured, and equitable programme. But ambition alone won’t fix what’s broken.
The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) is leading a push for Modern Work Experience, a reimagined model that promises every young person 2 weeks (10 days) worth of workplace exposure across their secondary education, not just a placement in Year 10. Watch a short video on the changes here
This isn’t just more time in the office, on site, or in the salon. The model focuses on flexibility – combining day visits, hybrid projects, virtual tasks, and traditional placements to better reflect how work happens today. Crucially, the equalex framework underpins this vision. Rather than letting placements be a matter of chance, luck or privilege, equalex gives structure: clear learning outcomes, reflection, feedback, and progression over time.
Even with chance, luck and privilege, the harsh reality is that for many, work experience is uneven, exclusionary, and underwhelming. Some students get transformative experiences; others simply follow someone around for a week and learn nothing new or of value.
If we want equitable access and inclusive workplaces, work experience can’t just be for young people whose parents have connections. This new approach starts early, targets students who’ve traditionally missed out, and is designed to close opportunity gaps.
That said, the road to a brighter future is not without obstacles:
- Schools will need to rethink and expand their careers programmes. From September 2025, they’ve being asked to plan for these new models
- Employers (especially SMEs) need incentives and guidance to take part meaningfully and sustainably
- Quality control will matter, unless experiences are clearly aligned to learning outcomes, there’s a risk of devolving into superficial “tick-box” opportunities
- Reflective time, feedback and follow-up must be baked into the experience, not left as optional extras.
Entering the world of work as a 16-year-old apprentice myself, equipping young people with the tools and experiences to see them can enter the workplace with interest, confidence and support is the goal. My early start in the workplace wasn’t formal or “guaranteed,” but it taught me how to show up, how to work, how to communicate, and, perhaps most importantly, how to believe in myself.
I’ve first hand seen the difference meaningful work experience can make, from an eager teenage apprentice to someone helping shape the next generation’s opportunities. Let’s not waste this window for change.
For too many young people, work experience has been a luxury. It’s time to make it a right, intentional and truly meaningful.
What does this mean for employers?
Empower the next generation while showcasing your business. Employers can adopt the flexible model to support activity in a way which meets their needs as a business rather than only being able to engage in a resource intensive 1-2-1 week-long placement in the summer.
Join the flexible modern work-experience programme and help young people build real career readiness. Interested? Email Stephen.snell@redbridge.gov.uk to get involved.