What is modern work experience?

We’re on the cusp of something new: the Government’s ambition to guarantee every young person 10 days’ worth of meaningful workplace experiences during secondary school, offering them the chance to find their spark – and giving employers the talent, skills and diversity they need for the future. It could be a two-hour tour, one day project, or group placement for three days – each can be the spark that tells a young person: “I belong here. I could do this. I might be brilliant at this.”

Explore what this can look like for your business and what you can do to get started. 

 
Equalex is a framework made up of a set of progressive learning outcomes underpinned by learner level objectives to support high quality, meaningful work experiences.

Unsure where to start when it comes to developing your first workplace experience?

The Employer Standards provide a clear framework to businesses of all shapes and sizes to maximise the impact of employer engagement with young people, ensuring mutual value and long-term business success.

For more information on Employer Standards please contact Heidi Stroud: [email protected]

Why invest time and resources in workplace experiences?

For employers, modern work experience is more than giving back.

It’s about investing in your future workforce, strengthening local talent pipelines, and showcasing your sector to the next generation. 

It raises your profile, delivers social value in the community and builds pride across your existing teams - a sense of purpose that’s proven to boost motivation and retention. With flexible ways to get involved, from a few hours to a week, there’s always a route that works for you.

Employers find out more and how to get involved by watching this webinar: 

 

The Hertfordshire Future Ready Project

A new innovative project-The Hertfordshire Future Ready Project will give 375 socio-economically disadvantaged young people parity and equal access to evidence based Modern Work Experience opportunities whilst also aiming to build employer capacity and generate insights into best practice, ensuring scalable and sustainable impact for the future.

In Hertfordshire there is a 20% reliance on parents for placements. Economically disadvantaged young people, young carers and those is care can be doubly disadvantaged. This programme helps them not to get left behind

Starting in the Summer of 2026 Year 1 of the project will work with disadvantaged year 8 students. We need employers to host 15 students for tours of their premises and Q&A with their employees. We also need volunteers for employer workshops in schools to promote different sectors and pathways. 30 events and 30 in school talks/workshops.

Employers we would love to hear from you to get involved, please contact [email protected];

How do I get involved?

In Hertfordshire we are working on some modern-day work experience projects that support disadvantaged young people.

Our Modern-Day Work Experience Lead Erica Hodges would love to hear from you.

Please contact Erica on [email protected]