Businesses urged to support new work experience guarantee for schools

An upcoming event, NextGen Stockport, aims to support local small businesses, educators and communities deliver new 10-day requirement for work experience.

With the rollout of the Modern Work Experience Guarantee, secondary schools across Stockport are now required to provide students in Years 7–11 with at least 10 days of meaningful workplace encounters. That means tens of thousands of young people will need access to real experiences of work, and with 90% of Stockport businesses classified as SMEs or micro-businesses, local employers will be essential to delivering on that promise.

To support this, NextGen Stockport – a new cross-sector event for businesses, educators and VCFSE organisations – is taking place on Tuesday 21st October, offering practical guidance, networking, and inspiration to get started.

Making Work Experience Work

From a half-day workplace safari to an employer-led challenge or project, the definition of meaningful experience is much broader – and more flexible – than many employers might realise. Caroline Brown, Director at Grassroots Recruitment and co-host of the event, explained:

“You don’t need to host students for the traditional one week’s work experience to make a difference. A workplace tour, Q&A session with your team, or a project you set for students to work on back at school – these all count.”

Modern work experience encounters range from “Workplace Safaris” – a short visit for a small group of students to tour your premises and learn what you do – to “Employer-led Projects”, where you can set a task, competition or short activity that gives students exposure to real-world concepts.

Reimagining Volunteering as Work Experience

A key theme of NextGen Stockport is the important role of the voluntary sector in meeting this new requirement. The event will explore how VCFSE organisations – often overlooked in traditional work experience models – can offer high-quality, flexible alternatives through skills-based workshops, corporate volunteering projects, and community-based placements.

Clare Finch, Business Relationship Lead at Sector 3, one of the event’s key delivery partners, said:

“Volunteering is a powerful, practical route for young people to gain experience, build confidence and develop key skills. We want to help schools reframe volunteering as a valid and valuable form of work experience – one that’s often more adaptable and inclusive, especially for students who may face barriers accessing placements in corporate environments.”

The event will showcase examples of collaborative models that bring together pupils and employee volunteers through co-designed projects, community days, and ongoing engagement between schools and the VCFSE network. These pathways not only support students’ employability skills but also strengthen community ties and deliver shared value for all partners involved.

Why It Matters for Stockport

More than 15,000 students in Stockport across Years 7–11 will need access to employer encounters each year under the new guidance. But with a business community made up largely of smaller organisations, the challenge isn’t just scale – it’s confidence and capacity. Caroline continued:

“Many SMEs want to help but worry about safeguarding, logistics, or not having time. That’s why this event is essential – to break it down, show simple solutions, and connect people who can help.”

What’s Happening at NextGen Stockport

Date: Tuesday 21st October, 8:30am – 12:00pm
Venue: Cornerstone, Edward Street, Stockport SK1 3NQ
Free to attend – registration required

The partner-led event is a collaboration between Sector 3, Pursuing Individual Excellence (PiE) and Grassroots Recruitment, sponsored by Stockport Homes Group, SDA Consulting, and Broadstone Consultancy. The event brings together guest speakers from local employers including Amey and Datesand, alongside insights from local VCFSE organisations delivering impactful youth engagement.

Attendees will benefit from:

• An overview of the Modern Work Experience Guarantee and its impact for educators and employers
• Practical workshops on designing meaningful experiences and navigating practical concerns
• A Networking Marketplace to connect with potential school, business, and community partners

Whether you’re an employer, educator, or VCFSE organisation, NextGen Stockport offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of local careers education and support young people across the borough.

Even small actions – like opening your doors for a tour or setting a simple challenge – can make a big difference. This event will show you how to start, where to begin, and who can help.

To register to attend, visit the Eventbrite page.