Preparing young people for tomorrow’s world

National Apprenticeships Week (9–15 February) comes at a crucial moment for education, skills and employment in England. As policy attention increasingly shifts from reform to implementation, the focus must now be on whether post-16 pathways are genuinely preparing all young people - particularly those facing disadvantage - to thrive in a rapidly changing world of work. 

This challenge sits at the heart of our Fair Education Priority Three as outlined in our 2025 Report Card - Prepare young people to contribute to tomorrow’s world. Almost a million young people are currently not in work, education or training (NEET), with young people from low-income backgrounds being twice as likely to be NEET. One in eight young people still leaves education without a clear, supported pathway, and gaps in access to high-quality apprenticeships, work experience and progression routes persist. Alongside this, an ongoing essential skills gap continues to limit young people’s ability to adapt to change, progress in work, and participate fully in society. 

We want to ensure all young people are prepared for the Jobs for Tomorrow. Our focus is on ensuring that every young person has a clear pathway to employment, and that essential skills - such as communication, collaboration and adaptability - are embedded through education, enrichment, work experience and apprenticeships. Central to this approach is a commitment to systems change: addressing structural barriers, improving quality and progression, and ensuring that young people’s lived experience shapes solutions from the outset. 

Young people’s lived experience must sit at the centre of this work.

David, a current apprentice and member of our Youth Steering Group, shares what it is like to navigate an apprenticeship today - from the opportunities it offers to the importance of support and belonging when entering the workforce. 

“I chose an apprenticeship over other routes because of the opportunity it provided to me; getting a fully funded university degree alongside getting experience in one of the largest financial institutions in the world.

One thing that has surprised me is how many like-minded people there are alongside me. I have a fantastic support group, which means I still go out, socialise, and have the ‘traditional’ university experience I thought I would be missing out on.

The support an apprentice receives, knowing that they are not alone in the struggles of joining the workforce, cannot be overstated. Therefore, having buddies and ensuring learning plans are in place would be beneficial.

⁠The opportunities and benefits for apprenticeships need to be better presented, not as a secondary pathway to higher education but as a true option.”

- David, current apprentice and Youth Steering Group member

David’s perspective speaks directly to Fair Education Impact Goal 5: Education, employment and training, highlighting the importance of high-quality pathways into work - and the role that support, structure and progression play in making those pathways work. 

Israa, who has completed her apprenticeship and is now in employment, reflects on how this route supported her transition into work and the confidence it helped her build. 

“I didn’t have a good experience with traditional education, and when I heard about apprenticeships, what appealed to me the most was earning while I learned. It felt like a no-brainer, the quickest way to get into a career job. 

One thing that surprised me the most was that I had an actual responsibility - I had opportunities to lead and have my ideas considered. It felt nothing like my experience at school - I really did feel like an adult, but that also brought a lot of anxiety and struggles with imposter syndrome.

I think if the government offered training and support for managers alongside apprentices, our experiences would be much better. I was quite lucky, my managers were really supportive, but I understand it can be difficult for some apprentices - especially those with neurodiversities.

Being an apprentice is what opened doors for me in ways I could’ve never imagined - without a traditional education, I’m working at the biggest media agency in the world and having almost 3 years of corporate experience at 21, whilst my friends are still in university. I feel incredibly grateful to have had an apprenticeship, and I wish many others could get the same opportunity.”

- Israa, Youth Steering Group member and former apprentice, now in employment 

Jobs for Tomorrow brings together our Collective Action, Collective Voice and Collective Strength, offering a practical space for members to share insight and evidence, learn from practice across the system, and work alongside employers, policymakers and young people to co-create solutions that improve access, quality and outcomes across post-16 pathways. 

Over the coming months, there are several clear ways for members to get involved: 

1. Get involved in place-based work 

Our place-based Collective Action is central to Jobs for Tomorrow. Two of our Collaboration Partnerships - South Yorkshire and the West Midlands - are focusing on strengthening education, employment and training pathways post-16, with plans being developed alongside Mayoral Combined Authorities. We will be engaging members operating in these areas, and in Liverpool City Region where the focus of the partnership is Early Years, in April. 

→ Members working in these regions can support this work by ensuring their Ecosystem Map data is up to date, so we have a clear picture of who is working where and how collaboration can be best supported locally.  

2. Shape policy through our Collective Voice 

We will be convening a dedicated Policy Insights Group session in April focused on Jobs for Tomorrow, exploring how policy - including the implementation of the Youth Guarantee - can better support learners who have experienced economic disadvantage.  

→ Sign up to our Policy Insights Group to be part of the conversation.  

Together, this work will help ensure that apprenticeships and wider post-16 routes deliver on their promise - and that every young person is equipped with the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to contribute to, and shape, tomorrow’s world.