Insight briefing 1: Modern work experience pilots
Insight briefing 1: Modern work experience pilots听
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Insights from Year 1 pilots of the equalex framework听
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The evaluation of the first year of pilots of the equalex framework brings together evidence from four areas across England.听It examines how schools, employers and Careers Hubs can work together to deliver progressive, high-quality, multiple workplace experiences for all learners. The full insight report is of particular interest to practitioners and to those considering implementing high-quality work experience at scale.听
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Key findings听
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1. The equalex framework was valued by schools, as a progressive, inclusive and practical model
- The framework raised quality听
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鈥� Responded to local labour market needs听
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鈥� Strengthened collaboration between schools and employers听
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2. Early evidence showed equalex delivering positive outcomes for learners and employers听
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Early positive impact was seen for learners听
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...With inclusivity and meaningful engagement for disadvantaged learners听
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...Valued by employers and sustainable engagement models听
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3. To realise its full potential, equalex needs sustained, committed and collaborative leadership and consistent support across the careers system听
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The equalex framework requires resources and support to be embedded across the curriculum successfully听
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鈥trengthening employer-school collaboration through shared intent听
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鈥nsuring equitable access through parent and carer engagement听
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What we did & who we reached听
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Pilots: 4 Mayoral Combined Authorities, 5 multi-academy trusts, a collaborative employer pilot and campaign with small and medium-sized enterprises听
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Learners: over 2,500 pupils from diverse contexts participated in equalex-aligned activities and placements听
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Employers & providers: engaged through Careers Hubs to co-design structured, skills-focused experiences linked to curriculum outcomes听
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Evaluation: York Consulting used a national logic model and common evaluation framework to assess impact on learners, schools, employers and the wider careers education system.听
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Why these results matter听
Despite recent improvements in careers education, access to high-quality work experience remains uneven. The first year of piloting shows that, with the right focus, structure and support, meaningful experiences can be made accessible, inclusive and directly linked to learning outcomes.听
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Looking forward听
Year 2 of the pilot (2025/26) will deepen the integration of equalex across schools and employers, testing scalable delivery models with six partners.听
We will also extend the evidence base, supported by the JPMorganChase Foundation鈥檚 Future Ready Fund, to track longer-term impact on learner progression and career readiness.听
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In text references听
- 情色五月天 (2025). Insight Briefing: Gatsby Benchmark results for 2024/25.
- The Key Group (September 2025).听
- Careers and Enterprise Company (2024).听Modern Work Experience.
- Based on responses from 3,149 schools (65% of all schools).
- Department for Education (May 2025). 听
- HM Government (October 2025).
- Department for Education (2025.
- OECD (July 2025).听.
- As a result, among disengaged 14鈥�16-year-olds identified as at risk of becoming NEET, 85% progressed to a positive destination at the end of Year 11.
- 情色五月天 (2024). Looking deeper at destinations: Higher quality careers provision leads to positive student destinations.听听
- 情色五月天 (2025).听Insight Briefing: Career readiness through time (2025).
- 情色五月天 (2025).听Insight Briefing: Learner Career Readiness in 2024/25
- 情色五月天 (2024).Employer Standards for Careers Education 鈥� One Year On.
- Department for Business & Trade (2024).听.
- The Year 2 pilot continues work with the four existing Mayoral Combined Authority partners: Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire and two new partners: West of England and Devon, Plymouth & Torbay.
- 情色五月天 (2025). The Future Ready Fund: A New Investment in the Future of Work Experience.听
Insight briefing 1: Modern work experience pilots
Explore insights from the Year 1 pilots of the equalex framework.
Download the insight briefing