A Moment to Reflect, a Mission to Advance

As the academic year draws to a close, I want to offer my sincere thanks to all those who have contributed to improving careers education for young people across England.

Regional Careers Hubs partners, Careers Leaders, wider school and college staff, providers and our vibrant network of employers. Your energy, dedication to widening opportunity and sense of purpose ensures more young people are accessing the skills and knowledge they need for their futures.  

Thanks to your collective efforts, real progress has been made this year. And as we look ahead, we know where there is even more we can do to take this further.  

Preparing for Change: Statutory Guidance and System Readiness 

Throughout recent months, schools and colleges, supported by Careers Hubs, have been preparing for the updated statutory guidance on careers education. We have seen genuine momentum build around these new expectations, with Careers Leaders across the country taking thoughtful, proactive steps to adapt, improve and align. 

Reflecting on a recent visit to Stoke, where CEOs, Heads and Principals came together to increase their collective commitment to raising standards – there was acute awareness that this is not simply a policy change. It’s a need for evolution to meet the demands of the future labour market.  

Raising the Bar: Quality in Employer Engagement 

Over 1,000 employers are now driving improvement in their support for young people through the use of the Employer Standards framework and tool. That number continues to grow - a powerful signal that businesses of all sizes and sectors, and in every region, are stepping up not only to engage with education, but to do so in a high-quality, inclusive and sustained way. 

Visiting a group experience for Year 9’s to experience the world of work through a partnership between KPMG and Mace, last month, was inspiring. Both in seeing the learning that the young people gained, but also the collaboration between two major employers, as an example of the type of practice that is now becoming more routine. We know that purposeful employer engagement transforms lives and when done with a shared collective vision, we can target national skills gaps and drive growth in priority sectors.  

 Addressing a National Priority: Skills for the Health Sector 

Over the past year we have convened a Health Sector Advisory Group, bringing together 13 NHS employers representing more than 200,000 staff. The group is helping to address one of the most pressing workforce challenges of our time. 

Our report, Examining the Skills Gap, highlights a clear paradox: health careers are among the most popular with young people, yet many face barriers to entry. Working closely with local Careers Hubs, the group has launched action plans focused on early outreach, curriculum integration and immersive work experience. Together, we are working to inspire, prepare and sustain a diverse and skilled workforce for the NHS of the future. 

Investing in the Future: Innovation that Works 

Addressing rising youth unemployment requires a coordinated, long-term approach. Through our partnership with JPMorganChase, we have already demonstrated what that can look like. 

Since 2021, the firm has invested nearly £5 million in our Effective Transitions Fund, which will support more than 2,500 young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds to secure positive post-16 destinations. 

Building on that success, the new Future Ready Fund brings the same commitment to meaningful work experience. It combines national coordination with local flexibility, giving partners the tools and space to design solutions targeted at young people furthest away from the labour market and will deliver an unprecedented understanding of the impact of modern work experience on student outcomes. The Future Ready Fund promises scalable models of what works.  

Looking Ahead: Making Work Experience Count 

As we prepare for the year ahead, our focus sharpens. The Government’s Work Experience Guarantee is now a national priority — and the careers system is ready to deliver. 

At CEC, we’re driving excellence across data, digital tools, partnerships and programmes. Youth voice drives everything we do, and thanks to our Youth Advisory Group, we’re better aligned with what young people need. 

Our mission is clear: to ensure every young person, whatever their background, is ready for the future world of work. 

We’re leading the way on meaningful, modern, high-quality work experience. From next term, we’ll hit the ground running - working with schools, colleges and employers to embed it into every young person’s journey. 

It’s a bold ambition, shared by every Careers Leader and every Hub, so every young person can take their best next step.