A coalition of major UK businesses is calling on employers to expand work experience opportunities for young people as youth unemployment reaches its highest level in over a decade.
Movement to Work (MtW), a not-for-profit organisation focused on breaking the cycle of inexperience and joblessness, has launched its Work Experience Works campaign to address the growing number of 16 to 30-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEET).
The initiative, backed by businesses including Accenture, BAE Systems, Barclays, Centrica, Diageo, Marriott, M&S, Tesco and Salesforce, aims to position work experience as a structured pathway into employment. The campaign will refine best-practice guidance, showcase success stories and expand access to meaningful placements.
Drawing on research and insights from its network of employers and partners, MtW has developed nine guiding principles for high-impact work experience programmes. These principles outline how organisations can create structured, skills-focused placements that deliver tangible benefits to both participants and employers.
Addressing the ‘No Experience, No Job’ Barrier
With 987,000 young people currently NEET—the highest figure in 11 years—MtW is emphasising the role of work experience in tackling youth unemployment. While government initiatives such as the Youth Guarantee aim to address the issue, MtW argues that structured, high-quality work experience is essential for these policies to be effective.
Sareena Bains, CEO of Movement to Work, highlighted the impact of work experience in overcoming employment barriers. “In the face of rising youth unemployment and economic inactivity, removing barriers to work has never been more critical. Time and again, young people tell us that the biggest barrier to securing a job is a lack of work experience. This is the harsh reality of the ‘no experience, no job’ cycle—one that leaves too many young people struggling to take their first steps into employment.”
“For over a decade, we have worked alongside employers and youth outreach organisations to create high-quality, accessible work experiences that do more than just fill a CV gap. These opportunities provide real-world experience, build confidence, support mental health and well-being and help young people discover the right career path for them.”
The Business Case for Work Experience
MtW’s work with employers has resulted in over 225,000 youth placements, with more than 89% of participants moving on to employment, further education or training. The organisation argues that work experience benefits both young people and businesses by developing future talent, improving workforce diversity and addressing skills gaps.
Employers that participate in structured work experience schemes gain access to a pool of young, motivated individuals, while also contributing to social mobility and economic recovery. By investing in early career development, businesses can help close skills shortages and improve workforce retention.
