Benchmark 6

Every pupil should have first-hand experiences of workplaces to help their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks.

• By the age of 16, every student should have had at least one experience of a workplace, additional to any part-time jobs they may have.
• By the age of 18, or before the end of their study programme, every student should have had at least one experience of a workplace, additional to any part-time jobs they may have.

Definition of ‘meaningful’

A meaningful experience gives the young person the opportunity to explore what it is like to work in that environment, what skills are valued in the workplace, their recruitment processes and what it takes to be successful. For Benchmark 6, a meaningful encounter will:

• have a clear purpose, which is shared with the employer and the young person
• be underpinned by learning outcomes that are appropriate to the needs of the young person
• involve extensive two-way interactions between the young person and employees
• include opportunities for young people to meet a range of different people from the workplace
• include opportunities for young people to perform a task set by the employer or to produce a piece of work relevant to that workplace
• include the employer providing feedback to the young person about their work
• be followed by opportunities for the young person to reflect on the insights, knowledge or skills gained through their experience

Equalex

Equalex is an equitable, high-quality approach to work experience – helping young people gain the skills, knowledge, and behaviours they need to make informed decisions to take their best next step. Learn more on our dedicated page.

Why is Benchmark 6 important?

• Fewer young people are gaining work experience through part-time jobs, dropping from 42% in 1996 to 18% among 16-17-year-olds in 2015. Despite this decline, work experiences remain vital for developing employability skills, building self-confidence, and helping students understand their career interests and values.
• Work experience allows students to apply school-learned skills in real contexts and serves as a key talent source for businesses recruiting school leavers and apprentices. Employers highly value work experience – around 80% see it as essential, and two-thirds prefer hiring candidates with it.
• However, 8.2% of UK adults aged 16-64 have never held a paid job beyond casual or holiday work, highlighting ongoing barriers to employment.