Employers should teach primary-age children about work, says Milburn - BBC News
By Hannah Karpel
Children should be introduced to the world of work at the start of primary school, according to former minister Alan Milburn, who authored a major report on youth activity in the UK. He suggests that:
- Children as young as four should learn about various careers.
- Work experience placements should be mandatory for 14- to 16-year-olds.
However, teaching unions express concern over the additional pressure this may place on primary schools and emphasize the need for practical considerations to ensure all schools have access to supporting resources.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently reported that 981,000 people aged 16 to 24 in the UK were not in education, employment, or training (Neet) between April and June 2026.
Milburn stresses the importance of early exposure to work-related activities:
"In primary school, it's really about opening their eyes and giving them a sense about what is possible."
He proposes that employers could contribute by delivering talks in schools and offering taster sessions to spark students' interest.
For Key Stage 4 pupils (aged 14-16), Milburn advocates for mandatory work experience in real workplaces, emphasizing its significant impact.
Recommendations and Implementation:
- Work Experience: Milburn's review suggests making work experience compulsory for 14- to 16-year-olds, addressing the current issue where about four in ten students in this age group lack any work experience.
- Early Introduction: He recommends introducing career discussions and opportunities as early as primary school, aiming to broaden students' horizons.
These recommendations are set to be included in Milburn's final report on Neets, expected to be published this autumn. While his review focuses on England, where careers guidance and work experience have specific guidelines, the ideas could influence educational policies across the UK.
Currently, England aims to "guarantee two weeks' worth of work experience for every young person," while Scotland and Wales already incorporate career-based learning into their school curricula from a younger age.