11 November 2025 Paving the way to a new world of work experience
The Talent Foundry’s Chief Executive, Jenni Anderson, recently published an article for the Institute of Student Employers, highlighting a new model for work experience and The Talent Foundry’s role in maximising the potential of work experience opportunities.
KPMG & TTF: A new model for work experience
The Talent Foundry, KPMG UK, and The Careers & Enterprise Company worked in collaboration to deliver a pilot programme aimed at modernising work experience for young people, particularly those from under-served communities. Responding to data showing that only 49% of Year 10 pupils access work experience, the initiative sought to address inequity and support the government’s ambition for all students aged 11–16 to receive 10 days of career exposure in line with the equalex framework
The pilot provided 92 students with in-person experiences across two workplaces in the space of one day, supported by our facilitation and employer engagement. Activities focused on building confidence, practical work readiness skills, and career awareness. Feedback from students and educators was overwhelmingly positive. Teachers praised the programme’s impact on self-esteem and confidence, valuing the opportunity to network with diverse role models and the pilot’s alignment with statutory careers guidance.
This pilot demonstrated the value of interactive, in-person work experience and highlighted the importance of collaboration between schools, employers, and facilitators. It also reinforced our strategic goal of expanding career choices and fostering social mobility through scalable, inclusive programmes.