Our mission

As a charity, we want to ensure that every young person in our country, wherever they live, whatever their parents or carers’ circumstances, has the opportunity to meet a diverse range of volunteers to hear first-hand about jobs and the world of work.

Our five-year strategic plan

Read our strategy in full Read the highlights

What problem are we trying to tackle?

Our research shows that young people’s aspirations and how well they do at school are directly determined by what they see (or don’t see) around them. Their futures are effectively pre-determined by their early social and economic environments.

Our findings show that:

  • Gender and racial stereotyping about jobs is set from an early age and it is a global issue
  • Those from more affluent backgrounds see themselves in more affluent and higher status roles
  • Those from less affluent backgrounds see themselves in less affluent and lower status roles
  • Less than 1% of children have heard about jobs through someone visiting their school
  • There is ‘nothing in common’ between young people’s future aspirations and the needs of the labour market

What impact has our work had?

Over the last 14 years, our work has been proven to:

  • Reduce the likelihood of young people becoming NEET (4 or more encounters with employers)
  • Improve academic attainment and increases young people’s future earning potential
  • Excite children about subjects, increasing their motivation, confidence, and attitude to learning
  • Broaden young peoples’ horizons and raises their future aspirations
  • Challenge gender, race, and social stereotypes – breaking down barriers to certain job role

Our strategic priorities for the next five years

1. We will help young people, wherever they live, whatever their parents or carers’ circumstances, to have the opportunity to meet a diverse range of volunteers and hear firsthand about jobs and the world of work.
2. We will strengthen our work with schools and colleges, education partners, and employers – ensuring that together we deliver better career discovery opportunities, better school governance, and broader, higher aspirations for all our children.
3. We will strengthen our financial sustainability to ensure we provide the best experience possible to schools and employers and be future focused, ensuring that, as our society and economy changes, we inspire children about the careers of tomorrow.

Support our mission

At Education and Employers, our inspiring volunteers and brilliant funders and partners are crucial in supporting us to make a difference to children’s lives.

If you’d like to use your unique insights and career journey to help inspire the next generation, then please visit Inspiring the Future.

If you’d like to use your professional skills and life experiences to make an impact in a strategic school governor role, please visit Inspiring Governance.

If you’re interested in supporting our work as a funder or partner, please contact our CEO, Nick Chambers at nick.chambers@educationandemployers.org.