Work experience access 'deeply unequal' despite cutting NEET risk by 80%

Research has highlighted the transformative potential of work experience, showing it can reduce a young person's likelihood of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training) by as much as 80 per cent. However, the study also exposes stark inequalities in how these opportunities are distributed, with access often limited to 'who your parents know' rather than individual talent or aspiration. This reliance on parental networks and social capital creates a significant barrier for disadvantaged young people, who may lack the professional connections to secure valuable placements in competitive sectors. The findings suggest that without intervention, work experience risks reinforcing existing social hierarchies rather than acting as a ladder for social mobility. For local authorities and Lead Members responsible for children's services and skills provision, the research underscores the need for systemic approaches to broker work experience opportunities. Ensuring fair access to quality placements must become a priority within local skills strategies, particularly as councils work to reduce NEET figures and support young people into sustainable employment regardless of their background.