At Startup Sherpas, we applaud the government’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment through the Youth Guarantee. The strong emphasis on tailored, local approaches and reversing the worrying NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) trends is commendable. However, while the strategy addresses young adults and older teenagers, there’s a critical gap: younger teenagers under 16 are largely overlooked. This omission risks delaying intervention until it is both costlier and less effective.
What we like in the whitepaper
Commitment to Localised Solutions
Local approaches ensure initiatives can reflect the unique needs of communities. This recognition of diversity is vital in addressing regional disparities and unlocking new opportunities.
Focus on NEET Reduction
Addressing the nearly one million young people in NEET status is crucial. The Youth Guarantee demonstrates a clear intent to reverse this trend with targeted action.
Flexibility in Apprenticeship Levy
The signal that the levy will be adapted is welcome and we are looking forward to more detail on the Work and Skills Levy. Many employers we engage with find the current apprenticeship levy unworkable, so these changes could unlock much-needed investment.
What we felt was missing
Who Owns Early Action?
Career confidence must start at an early age, but the responsibility for under-16s often falls into a gap. Businesses’ talent teams typically focus on 18- to 21-year-olds for short-term pipelines. Local authorities concentrate on NEET figures starting at age 16. Meanwhile, schools—already stretched thin—are left to fill the void. Dr. Ger Graus OBE, our education advisor, captures this challenge perfectly: “Children can only aspire to what they know exists.” His research with KidZania demonstrates that career aspirations often form during primary school. Delaying comprehensive engagement until age 18 misses these formative years, making it significantly harder to rebuild confidence and skills later on.
No action to stop the decline of the Saturday Job
In 1998, nearly half (48%) of 16- and 17-year-olds held part-time jobs. By 2023, this figure had plummeted to just 24%, according to ONS data. We highlighted this trend during BBC Breakfast, noting that many SMEs are hesitant to hire young people due to perceived risks. To address this, the DWP must collaborate with businesses, and insurers should also play a role. Encouraging part-time jobs not only provides teenagers with valuable skills but also builds confidence, responsibility, and early workplace experience.
Unrealistic Goals for Work Experience Without Business Support
The white paper’s ambition of offering two weeks of work experience is admirable, but securing even one week remains a significant challenge for most schools. A recent report by the Key Group and Youth Employment UK revealed that fewer than half of Year 10 students participate in work experience.
Access to these opportunities often depends on parental connections, which exacerbates social mobility issues. For students whose parents lack the networks to arrange placements, work experience week often means staying in school instead. According to a report by Speakers for Schools, a third (33%) of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds receive no careers advice from family or friends, compared to just 5% of those with parents holding a postgraduate degree.
This underscores the urgent need for businesses to take the lead in creating more work experience opportunities. Companies have the most to gain from a pipeline of career-ready young talent—it’s time they stepped up.
Our Work in This Space and Why Early Action Matters
Investing in under-16s delivers long-term benefits. Early intervention fosters career confidence, improves attendance, reducing the risk of disengagement and the need for costly interventions later. The Youth Guarantee is a significant step forward, but addressing the gaps for younger teenagers is essential. By encouraging collaboration among schools, businesses, and third-sector organizations, we can ensure no young person is left behind.
Here’s what we are doing to make an impact:
Making Work Experience Easier for Employers
We’ve created a risk-free, hassle-free work experience programme designed to reduce barriers for employers. Through our safeguarded technology platform, we ensure a secure and compliant environment, alleviating concerns about safety and liability. Employers only need to participate in an initial brainstorming session to outline project goals and a Q&A call with students—our team handles the rest. This streamlined approach enables businesses to support young talent without the usual complexities of traditional work experience.
Maximizing the Value of Volunteer Days
Our updated SuperSquads 2.0 program enhances our paid work experience initiatives by connecting young people with Volunteer Sherpas—experienced industry professionals who act as mentors. Many of these mentors use their employer-provided volunteer days to guide students in exploring careers and identifying their skills. This initiative not only empowers students but also eases the burden on schools by offering external support that bridges the gap between education and the workplace.
To learn more about how Startup Sherpas is empowering the next generation, visit Startup Sherpas. Together, we can create a future-ready workforce.
