The Future Ready Fund: a new investment in the future of work experience

We are proud to announce a new £3.3 million investment from JPMorganChase to help transform work experience for young people across England.

This ambitious three-year programme is a bold step towards delivering the Government’s commitment of two weeks of high-quality work experience for every young person.

Rising youth unemployment necessitates a multi-agency response to support young people to find good jobs and opportunities to progress into adult life. This announcement reflects the power of public- private partnership to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing our young people and the economy and shows that by working together, we can open up opportunities to equip every young person for the future world of work.

We have a strong track record working in partnership with JPMorganChase, rooted in a shared commitment to doing more for those that face additional barriers. Since 2021, the firm has invested nearly £5 million in our Effective Transitions Fund (ETF), helping over 2,500 young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds to secure positive post-16 destinations.  94% of participants in the first phase of the fund moved into further study or training, compared to 88% of the comparative national cohort. These outcomes are a testament to the innovation and impact that long-term partnerships can deliver.

The new Future Ready Fund builds on that success, using some of the same features that made Effective Transitions so impactful. As with ETF, we will combine a national approach with local tailoring, allowing areas to target their young people who will benefit most. We will provide partners with the space and resource to innovate, to uncover new ways of achieving positive outcomes. Finally, we will use our position as the national body to scale the approaches that prove most effective.  

Over 3,700 young people will benefit from 10 days of immersive work experience across 10 regional Careers Hubs. Importantly, the programme will follow students over time, starting in Year 8 and continuing through to Year 10, providing consistent, tailored support that builds ambition and resilience.

This longer-term approach gives us the chance to test new models of delivery, deepen employer engagement and better align experiences with local labour market needs. It opens the door to modern, meaningful work experience—delivered flexibly, in partnership with over 500 employers and 250 schools, and designed to reflect the evolving skills landscape.

At the heart of this programme is a commitment to equity. Evidence tells us that disadvantaged young people are less likely to access work experience—and when they do, it’s often less impactful. The Future Ready Fund aims to close that gap by ensuring that every young person, regardless of background, has the chance to develop their skills, build their confidence and connect with real-world careers over time.

It will also strengthen the evidence base on what high-quality work experience looks like for those who face the greatest barriers, contributing to continuous improvement in education and skills.

Thanks to the investment of JPMorganChase, we are shaping a system where opportunity is open to all and employers are deeply embedded in education, so that every young person has the chance to find their best next step.