New Work Experience Requirements

The new work experience requirement, introduced by the Department for Education in May 2025, marks a significant shift in careers education across England. Here’s what it means and why it matters:
🔍 What’s Changing?
Starting September 2025, all students in Key Stages 3 and 4 will be guaranteed two weeks of meaningful work experience.
This is part of a broader effort to modernise careers education and ensure that young people are better prepared for the world of work.
💡 Why Is This Important?
- Bridging the Skills Gap - Work experience helps students develop essential employability skills—like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving—that employers consistently say are lacking in school leavers.
- Informed Career Choices - Exposure to real workplaces allows students to explore different industries and roles, helping them make more informed decisions about their future education and career paths.
- Equity of Opportunity - By making work experience a statutory requirement, the policy aims to ensure all students, regardless of background, have access to high-quality placements—not just those with personal or family connections.
- Employer Engagement - This initiative also strengthens the relationship between schools and local employers, creating a more responsive and collaborative skills ecosystem.
- Support for Schools and Employers - The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) and Careers Hubs are providing guidance, training, and resources to help schools and employers prepare for and deliver this new requirement effectively.