Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to encourage large employers to provide work experience placements for students aged 16 to 18.

Work experience is a key part of a high-quality careers programme, helping young people develop skills for work and make successful transitions into employment.

The department supports employer engagement through Careers Hubs, where over 400 leading employers and almost 3,000 business volunteers help provide careers and work experience opportunities across England, including in key growth sectors.

The Careers & Enterprise Company’s Employer Standards help businesses improve the quality and inclusivity of their outreach to education while strengthening talent pipelines.

The department also supports employers to deliver T Level industry placements through guidance, workshops, webinars and resources. These placements provide students with substantial workplace experience and opportunities to apply their learning.

The department is also supporting industry placements in the construction sector for learners undertaking level 2 and 3 qualifications. It has published guidance and is engaging with the Construction Skills Mission Board to help increase high-quality opportunities for young people.