July 8, 2025
Half of school leavers think they are unprepared for work, poll claims
A new poll from the IPPR think tank claims that only 47 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds felt ready for work when they left education, compared with 60 per cent of over-26s. Despite more schools claiming that they offer high-quality work experience, two in five 18- to 24-year-olds have never completed any work experience and feel unprepared for work as a result. By contrast, earlier generations – those in their late 20s, 30s, and 40s – are significantly more likely to have done so. The report argues that the number of young people missing out on these opportunities could have implications for social mobility, with 60 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds agreeing that work experience opportunities usually rely on who you know, not what you know. More →