The World of Politics

POLICY BANK RECOMMENDATIONS

National Paid Work Experience Guarantee

Policy idea
Guarantee every young person aged 16–21 at least one paid, month-long work placement organised through schools, colleges or local authorities.

Problem this addresses

• Work experience in the UK is inconsistent and fragmented.
• Some placements are unpaid or poorly structured, diminishing their value.
• Research shows real work experience significantly improves readiness and future job prospects.

Proposal

• Mandate one paid month’s work experience for all 16–21-year-olds.
• Ensure placements are quality-assured and linked to career guidance.
• Fund placements through a mix of labour exemptions, employer contributions and redirecting underused levies.

Why this matters

• Reduces barriers to entry for young people without networks or unpaid opportunities.
• Provides measurable exposure to workplaces, boosting employability.
• Helps level the playing field across regions and sectors.

Estimated cost

• £1.6 billion gross per year (800,000 participants × 4 weeks × minimum wage).
• Potential net cost reduced via National Insurance exemptions (~£400m), redirecting apprenticeship levy funds (~£400m) and more efficient administration (~£100m).

Implementation / next steps

• Legislate minimum standards for paid placements.
• Task DfE with quality assurance and data reporting.
• Pilot with local authorities before nationwide rollout.

Barriers / trade-offs

• Employers may resist additional obligations or costs.
• Quality assurance requires capacity and oversight.
• Some vocational sectors may find placements harder to organise.

Context
Current UK work placements are a patchwork of programmes, including unpaid schemes and subsidised roles, but no universal guarantee exists. Improving work readiness is widely cited as the most significant key to improving youth employment outcomes.

Sources and further reading
Billy Camden, FE Week, “Apprenticeship levy turns into Treasury cash cow“, 29th September 2023.