23 February 2026 Making Modern Work Experience meaningful
In November 2024, the government set out it’s ambition to ensure all young people aged 18-21 are learning or earning, aiming to prevent them from becoming economically inactive before their careers begin. As part of a new Youth Guarantee, all young people are expected to have access to at least two weeks’ (or 50 hours) worth of work experience. Statutory careers guidance was updated in May 2025 to support these changes.
At The Talent Foundry, we are committed to making this vision a reality by delivering meaningful, high-quality work experience programmes that align with the latest standards, including The Careers and Enterprise Company’s (CEC) equalex framework.
Delivering work experience that makes a real difference
In the summer term of 2024-25, we supported the delivery of a pilot programme in partnership with CEC and KPMG UK. The aim of this Modern Work Experience pilot was to provide high quality, in-person work experience for students from under-served areas across the UK and to rethink traditional models. Our involvement in the pilot, alongside our role in facilitating in-person opportunities with other major employers, has given us expertise in providing experiences that genuinely prepare young people for the world of work.
Though our workshops, students gain access to multiple workplace experiences, helping them understand the skills required in real work environments. Our approach connects education and young people with industry through tailored mentoring and hands-on exposure to the workplace, enabling students to confidently explore pathways including apprenticeships, degrees, technical courses and other training routes.
Supporting young people where the need is greatest
We focus on unlocking opportunities for those who need them most and might otherwise miss out. By integrating our work experience into structured careers programmes, as defined by the Gatsby Benchmarks, we:
- Increase awareness of jobs and career pathways
- Build confidence in key skills like communication and teamwork
- Reduce the likelihood of young people becoming NEET at 16 and 18
Our programmes offer variable, targeted experiences at different stages of education, prioritising under-served students and enabling meaningful employer-student interactions through employer-led activities. Bespoke programmes for every education stage
We provide programmes for a wide range of students, including:
- Primary students
- Secondary students
- Students aged 16-18 in further education colleges and sixth form colleges
- SEND students
- and those in alternative provision or pupil referral units
For example, our multi-part programme, GoTeach with DHL, offers a structured journey from initial industry exposure to practical experience and mentoring. Students can visit a DHL site and see the world of logistics in action while tackling problems based on real client briefs, such as transporting a gorilla from Tenerife to London.
Our approach ensures progressive learning outcomes that inspire ambition and prepare students for their next steps.
Alignment with national standards
All our programmes meet the updated Gatsby Benchmark 6 and the equalex Modern Work Experience Framework. This ensures that talented students from all backgrounds have equitable access to opportunities.
By starting early, we enable young people to engage with inspirational volunteers from different industries, gain practical insights and built confidence in a structured, high-quality careers education environment.
Get involved
We bridge the gap between education and careers, offering fully funded work experience opportunities that ignite ambition and prepare young people for the world of work. To learn more, contact our Engagement Team at schools@talentfoundry.org.uk.