Recent data reveals a stark truth across the East Midlands: only 25% of Year 10 students in the region completed a full week of work experience in 2024–25, the lowest rate in the country. Nationally, just 37% met that benchmark.
That means many young people are entering the workforce without the exposure to workplace realities essential for success, especially in developing soft skills, networking abilities, and confidence building.
This all means: many young people are missing critical opportunities to learn interpersonal skills, build relationships, and understand how workplaces really operate.
In a room where work experience is scarce, the ability to communicate clearly, show empathy, adapt, and collaborate becomes a huge differentiator. Our events, workshops, and mentoring programmes are designed to strengthen exactly those traits that schools sometimes can’t reach.
Because many schools can’t deliver consistent employer placements, creating your own network becomes vital. Through Gen Next events, you’ll meet others just like yourself ambitious, curious, ready to connect and gain introductions to local business professionals and mentors.
Work experience can open your eyes to how a business runs in practice what culture looks like, how decisions are made, what conflicts arise. Generation Next can simulate this in smaller ways. Through panels, interactive sessions, and behind-the-scenes conversations we can help you understand what to expect when you are in the workplace.
When your resume includes “Member of Generation Next network, attended soft skills workshops, built relationships with mentors,” it shows initiative. Employers notice when candidates have gone beyond the classroom to sharpen their personal and professional tools!
While schools face challenges such as costs, limited employer cooperation and staffing demands. Generation Next is there to support you no matter where you studied. We aim to level the playing field by providing opportunities outside the formal school system.
The news is clear: too many young people miss out on work experience. But that doesn’t have to define your path. Joining Generation Next gives you access to the opposite community, skill development, hands-on insights, and the chance to grow with peers who’re on the same journey.
If you’re aged 18-35 and want to take control of your career progression, come along, get involved, make connections, and develop skills you’ll use for life.
👉 See our upcoming events & join Generation Next today
Let’s not wait for the system to catch up. Build your experience, your network, your confidence now.
