News & Blogs

Early career roles have always served a distinct purpose within organisations. They are not simply about output; they are learning environments which create space for people at the start of their careers. Those experiences do not disappear in an AI-enabled workplace, if anything, they become more important.

AI is no longer just a recruitment issue or a peripheral skill; it is becoming a central force, shaping job design, skills, and expectations. While students often fear AI will reduce entry-level opportunities, our evidence suggests re-shaping rather than replacement. 

A young person can be bright, capable and full of potential, but if she does not yet know how to speak about her strengths, navigate a process, or picture herself in a certain room, she may never take the next step. Confidence is often what turns ability into action. 

Careers education is no longer a “nice to have”, it is becoming core infrastructure for workforce development. For employers, this means earlier engagement, broader inclusion and longer-term thinking on skills.

Young people with SEND need to know not only that support exists, but what that support looks like in practice. We need to be shown how to advocate for ourselves: how to say, “I struggle with this,” without fear, and to ask, “What could this role look like for me?” Many of us don’t lack ambition; we lack the language and confidence to express our needs.

The Department for Education (DfE) announced a market engagement last month to inform future careers education provision for young people from the 2027 academic year. The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) sees this as an exciting moment to build on the progress made to date and extend the impact of the current system.

We are excited to announce Ava Haymonds as our newest Youth Board Member. Ava joins Rylie as our second current Youth Board Member, following the footsteps of Mohammed, Lizzie and Ife.

To celebrate National Careers Week and Colleges Week, John Yarham had the pleasure of visiting Middlesbrough College alongside Susan Acland-Hood, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education.  

Hear from two members of our Youth Advisory Group (YAG) about what enrichment opportunities in tandem with high-quality careers education means to them.

The South Yorkshire Careers Hub is working with HSBC and Zero Gravity through the Boosting Skills Pathways programme to build stronger digital and technology career routes for young people.

Nearly one million young people are now not in education, employment or training (NEET). Rising disengagement mean that too many learners experience difficult transitions from secondary education.

Our Youth Advisory Group (YAG) met with Jacqui Smith, the Minister for Skills, to discuss the barriers faced by young women in accessing careers and skills education.