Home
Who We Are
Youth Voice
Youth Advisory Group
Empowering Youth Voice: Celebrating the Youth Advisory Group

Empowering Youth Voice: Celebrating the Youth Advisory Group

Our Youth Advisory Group (YAG) plays a vital role in ensuring that young people have a voice in decisions that affect their futures.

Each member brings unique perspectives and experiences, all with a common goal: to create meaningful change. As we say goodbye to our 2024/25 cohort, here's what a few of them have to say about their experiences and contributions:

About our Youth Advisory Group

Our Youth Advisory Group (YAG) is a diverse group of 23 young people aged 14-25 from across England, all with unique lived experience of careers support and the education system.

Learn more

Tiffany

YAG Chair

“I joined the Youth Advisory Group two years ago because I wanted to be part of something meaningful. I had no idea what the Careers & Enterprise Company was, but the more sessions I attended, the more I learned and understood just how crucial and far-reaching the organisation's work is. One standout moment for me was introducing an exemplar of careers education at the Careers Education Excellence event in March 2024, held at the House of Lords. It was surreal - I was incredibly nervous, but being there gave me such a boost in confidence. That opportunity really changed how I saw myself and what I thought I was capable of. I definitely feel I've made an impact. There have been several sessions with CEC staff where people have told me directly that ideas I raised - either on my own or as a group - influenced their thinking or approach.”

Sophie

YAG Vice Chair

“I joined the YAG so that I could help impact change on a national scale. Through working directly with CEC and their partners, I have done just that. I have helped shape tools and programmes used by CEC to further careers education. From inputting my thoughts on the RONI (Risk of NEET Indicator) tool to participating in an apprentice panel with Skills England, and even attending events with big-name employers, being a YAG member has been an invaluable experience.”

Faisal

YAG member

“When I joined the Youth Advisory Group, I was eager to ensure young people's voices were heard where it truly mattered. My goal was to bring fresh perspectives to the table and influence decisions that directly impact us; looking back, I genuinely feel that I've been able to achieve what I set out to do. The regular in-person sessions were a particular highlight, providing invaluable opportunities for us to engage directly with CEC teams, collaborate on projects, and truly feel our contributions were valued. It's been incredibly rewarding to see our collective insights contribute to meaningful change, and I hope our work continues to inspire other organisations to embrace youth voice in their decision-making processes.”

Jake

YAG member

“I joined the Youth Advisory Group to bring change to young people's lives and help them be heard by everyone. The group gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills, qualities and to learn from other fellow young people/ youth board members. I have made a positive impact at CEC, and it has been a team effort to bring change for young people. So, while my ideas help people, it is great to hear and explore other people's ideas.”

Thank you to all the young people in the Youth Advisory Group for your passion, insight, and dedication. Your voices have been vital in shaping meaningful change that truly reflects the needs and hopes of young people across the country. You remind us why youth involvement isn’t just important — it’s essential. We’re excited to see how the next cohort will build on your legacy. To summarise, Tiffany put it perfectly, “there’s still plenty of work to be done, but that’s where the next cohort comes in.” Here’s to the next chapter of impact and inspiration!