Youth Advisory Group

I joined the Youth Advisory Group to use my experiences and voice to advocate for a more inclusive approach to education and skills development. The ‘one-size-fits-all’ model doesn’t reflect the diversity of young people’s talents and aspirations. I aim to highlight the importance of bridging the gap between education and employment, ensuring young people are better supported to make confident, informed decisions about their futures. By sharing insights from my journey, I hope to inspire change and contribute to a system that empowers every individual to thrive in an ever-evolving world of work.

I joined the YAG because I have strived to have an impact on the aspirations of those around me throughout my time in education - working closely with the CEC will enable me to contribute to the development of careers education around the country. I am passionate about driving impact in the BAME community, particularly those with first or second-generation migrant backgrounds.

I joined the YAG because I believe good careers education has the power to change our society for the better, by tackling inequality and empowering the next generation. I have led campaigns for the inclusion of young voices since I was 16. In particular, I am passionate about advocating for the needs of young women in education and careers. Now in my early career, I hope to apply my background in public affairs and policy, as well as my campaign experience, to support the CEC.

I joined the YAG because I want to impact change so that all young people feel confident in their futures. I think the disparities between opportunities given to some and not others is a huge problem in careers education today and that all students and young people no matter the background should be given equal chance at a happy and successful career. I specifically want to give my insights into the experience of people with intersectional characteristics like myself.

I joined the Youth Advisory Group to advocate for a national careers education that supports all young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Growing up in a low-income household in Northwest England, I understand how important the right career support can be, and the challenges young people face without it. After graduating university, I moved to London and began my career in communications for an education charity. I now aim to use my personal and professional experiences to help CEC support more young people to access meaningful career opportunities and high-quality guidance about their next steps.

I joined the YAG because I strongly believe that high-quality careers education has the power to transform young people’s life chances and create real social mobility. Growing up in a single-parent household and being a widening participation student at university, I am deeply passionate about ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have equal access to opportunities.

I became a member of the YAG to advocate for SEND young individuals like me facing challenges in education, particularly with emotional-based school avoidance. For those who are out of school and struggling with attendance, like I was not long ago, all my careers education has been my own responsibility - yet there remains an expectation that I should know what I want to pursue, which is not the case. I wish to work to change this! As I work through my A Levels, I am still facing difficulties, unable to find accessible and understanding work experience or part-time jobs that fit my needs. I aim to share my lived experiences to advocate for others like me to improve these systems, while also learning about those who are different from me and their unique experiences and circumstances.

I am passionate about youth career education and by joining the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) I am dedicated to inspiring young people to explore diverse career paths. As a member of the Youth Advisory Group, I hope to actively contribute to efforts that make career exploration engaging and accessible. Believing in the importance of providing opportunities, I find the YAG the perfect opportunity to be involved in the efforts to ensure young people have the tools and resources to discover and pursue their potential, empowering them to make informed career choices.

I’m in my second year on the Youth Advisory Group, and an apprentice project engineer within the water industry. I was lucky enough to receive an extraordinary careers education, giving me a thousand steps ahead into my current role, however not everyone receives the same. I believe everyone deserves the same opportunity to receive a world-class careers education, being a part of the YAG gives me the opportunity to help make that change!

I am a Manufacturing Management Trainee studying for a BEng in Materials Technology through a degree apprenticeship in the manufacturing and construction sectors. At school, apprenticeships were only presented as opportunities to learn trades, I was not aware of degree apprenticeships until a family member in HR told me. That experience sparked my commitment to making alternative career paths more visible. I now give careers talks, organise traditional and modern work experience placements, and take part in STEM outreach, particularly to encourage more girls into STEM. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I want to challenge stereotypes and open-up opportunities. Through the Youth Advisory Group, I aim to help shape a careers education system that is accessible, representative and informed by real experiences.

I'm Jake and I work as a security officer and in my spare time I enjoy playing game console, watching TV and seeing family/friends. My passion for wanting to join the YAG was new opportunity. It seemed like a good way to fine tune my current day to day skills and work skills while learning some new skills. Furthermore, being able to be a part of a team who has a huge objective to aid young people in finding careers by listening to youth voices is a huge honour and responsibility for me. I look to take on this challenge in positive way by using my skills and qualities, as well as my teams, to help as many young people that I/we can.

I am currently in Year 13, studying Politics, History, and English Literature, and I joined the YAG to directly address structural inequalities in the UK. My core aim is to help level the playing field between public and state education. My ultimate aspiration is to secure a solicitor apprenticeship and, in the future, transition into politics, after a period of service in the Armed Forces. I feel a strong responsibility to act as a spokesperson for demographics that currently lack representation. My commitment to leadership is demonstrated by my service as the most senior cadet in Berkshire (Cadet RSM) and I am currently the best army cadet in the UK.

I joined the YAG because of my critical first-hand experience of careers education, which helped me overcome barriers. Having grown up on a northern council estate, I received limited careers education which prompted me to outsource experience independently through social mobility charities, whilst my family had limited knowledge to support me. I intend to utilise my intersectional experiences, including my immigrant, neurodivergence and working-class background, to demonstrate how different facets of society are impacted by careers education approaches and initiatives, allowing for more productive and inclusive approaches. My personal ambitions are demonstrated by me currently studying Law at UCL.

I joined the YAG because I firmly believe that careers education and support must leave no one behind. As a Politics and International Relations student, I have developed a strong awareness of structural inequalities and have worked to promote social mobility and first-generation representation through both my university department and the Patchwork Foundation. I aim to draw on these experiences to contribute to policies and discussions that make careers education more inclusive and accessible for all.

I joined the YAG as I am invested in tackling structural inequalities in the UK, within education and beyond. I am currently studying Politics at university where I am involved in efforts to diversify the curriculum and empower students from ethnic minority backgrounds, and I also lead initiatives to develop and empower Muslim youth across the UK. I hope to support communities to understand what options are out there for young people, so that they are able to follow the career paths that are best suited to them.

I joined the Youth Advisory Group to use my voice and experience to create change. I believe that all young people regardless of their background should feel supported, informed, and empowered in their career journeys. I am currently a member of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Youth Council and a Tree Council Youth Ambassador. I have also previously been a member of the NHS Youth Forum and the Groundwork Youth Advisory Board. I want to develop my skills and help young people navigate their future with confidence and clarity. I look forward to taking part in collaborative projects and working alongside the other young people to create positive change.

Careers education has been pivotal for me in seeing where my strengths lie and how this can be translated to the career I want. I joined the YAG to help in expanding this experience across the country and contribute to meaningful projects with like-minded members from diverse backgrounds. I am especially passionate about social mobility, specifically within corporate spaces, and hope that our work will help drive companies to deliver meaningful experiences and education to young people.

Educational and career progression often doesn’t follow a linear path, with many bumps along the way. Some individuals may need extra help and support to overcome the barriers they face to unlock their full potential. I joined the YAG because I believe that high-quality careers education can help overcome existing challenges and barriers faced by young people. On the YAG, I will bring an evidence-driven and lived experience-informed perspective to tackling inequality, improving employer engagement, and co-designing support that is inclusive, accessible, and actionable.

As a full-time Year 11 student, I balance my studies with a deep commitment to my community and my future. Empathy is central to who I am - as actually making a difference provides a contentment like no basic awareness of issues does. I believe harnessing the position of representing those who are often under-recognised is perfect for me. I am dedicated to careers education because every young person should be equipped with the knowledge and skills to make informed choices. Careers education is not only about finding a job, but unlocking potential and creating alternative pathways. Participation within my community and local charities has shown me the effects of meaningful change, and I am always eager to lend support to anyone. I am very passionate about serving on the YAG to continue learning, sharing and making a positive impact!

I'm an economics degree apprentice at the Office for National Statistics. I have been fortunate enough to support young people through my roles on the Apprentice Nation and the Sutton Trust Alumni Board. I aspire to go into a career that helps others and drives meaningful change. I joined YAG because I want to make a positive impact on young people, particularly those with low social mobility. I believe every young person deserves the opportunity to feel confident, empowered, and informed about their future, and I want to be a part of that bright, evolving culture.

I am currently volunteering with a social mobility charity known as University which aligns with my passion for helping students of all backgrounds make informed career decisions. Through working at the CEC, I hope to contribute to improving careers education ensuring that all young people receive careers support which is tailored to their individual needs. As a young carer, I have a particular interest in how careers education can be adapted to support those in similar circumstances to mine, enabling them to pursue their aspirations despite the challenges they may face.

I’m a final-year Criminology and Psychology student at Royal Holloway, where I also work as a Careers Coach. I support my peers in exploring different career options and building career readiness. Being part of the YAG is important to me because I believe career education should be embedded in every young person’s learning experience, helping them discover the wide range of opportunities available. As a strong advocate for social mobility, I’m passionate about breaking down barriers so everyone has equal access to opportunities, regardless of their background. I’m excited to contribute to meaningful conversations around career education and use my voice to inspire young people to pursue their career aspirations and enter the world of work with confidence and skills.

I started my career development journey in Year 7 taking on projects, leadership roles and opportunities. Now I am in sixth form studying BTEC L3 Engineering Extended Diploma and potentially doing A-level Business and Psychology. I believe careers education is as important as academics. My old school focused only on grades and traditional career routes, but joining a UTC in Year 10 changed everything, they valued both, by "bridging the gap" between education and work. I joined the Youth Advisory Group to help shape a system that empowers every young person to explore their careers with confidence, through opportunities, the curriculum, real world experiences, digital access, and stronger connections between schools, employers, and young people.

I think every decision you take at every stage of your life should be informed by an idea of what’s out there – which changes every month with changes in technology, politics, and world affairs. I wish young people could be encouraged to imagine their lives in ten or twenty years, track back and make choices accordingly. Our curriculums start broad yet narrow quickly but many jobs require breadth and are now interdisciplinary in nature. I want to help effect positive change in this area and by joining the YAG, I believe I can.