At Groundswell Innovation, we’re all about doing different things, and doing things differently. And we like working with others who think the same way we do.
EY Foundation have just published a research report we were proud to have authored, supporting their ambition to ‘create a work experience revolution’. As they outline, “… the work experience landscape across the UK has become more fragmented, more challenging, and ultimately, more unequal. With our ambition to generate the systemic change needed to build a fairer workplace, we have set ourselves the bold goal to create a work experience revolution. This will ensure all young people eligible for free school meals participate in meaningful work experiences, with wrap-around support at key points in their education.”
We were asked to research what constitutes good work experience and explore the potential for digital solutions to generate better outcomes. The research, published today, includes analysis of existing studies, findings from stakeholder interviews and an in-school focus group. This work has identified numerous avenues to transform work experience, including:
• The importance of support for Small and Medium sized Employers (SMEs) to deliver work experience across the UK
• The potential for technology to act as a democratising force by making the skills gained through work experience more accessible for all
• The importance of starting careers-related learning in early years to build aspirations.
“Most young people who self-report as having undertaken work experience will do so because of personal networks, either their parents or because of people that they know. That is a really clear example of where young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are being disadvantaged by the current system. It’s about poverty of thought as well as poverty of access to the system.” (Careers service provider)
What we heard from those we spoke to was in some ways eye-opening but unsurprising, but also gave us hope of more equitable opportunities for all young people, with some fantastic examples from employers that we hope can be replicated across the UK.
The transformative impact of good work experience on young people – particularly those from a low-income background – cannot be overstated. But the opportunities need to be there. And with those opportunities needs to be the confidence to approach these opportunities.
Read more about EY Foundation’s work experience revolution and the research report in full on their website at https://www.eyfoundation.com/uk/en/news/work-experience-revolution.html
