Savvy small business owners are always on the lookout for ways to innovate, grow, and crucially, manage costs. But what if a significant resource for achieving these goals was right on your doorstep, brimming with fresh ideas and potential? The UK government’s updated careers guidance for schools is creating new opportunities for businesses to connect with young people, and for SMEs, this could translate into tangible savings and a host of other benefits.
The revised guidance, particularly Benchmark 5: Encounters with employers and employees and Benchmark 6: Experiences of workplaces from the Department for Education, is putting a renewed emphasis on schools providing students with meaningful and varied interactions with the world of work from a younger age. This isn’t just about a week of shadowing anymore; it’s about creating a richer, more diverse tapestry of experiences. And that’s where your small business comes in.
For many SMEs, the idea of hosting work experience students might conjure images of extra workload. However, approached strategically, leveraging young talent can be a surprisingly cost-effective move.
The Cost-Saving Equation: More Than Just Free Labour
While most school-arranged work experience placements for under-16s are unpaid, the financial advantages extend far beyond not having to add to the payroll.
- A Pipeline of Future Talent at Minimal Cost: Engaging with students early allows you to spot potential future employees or apprentices. Think of it as an extended, low-risk interview. You get to see their attitude, aptitude, and how they fit with your company culture long before making a hiring commitment. This can drastically reduce future recruitment costs – advertising, agency fees, and the time spent sifting through applications.
- Fresh Perspectives & Innovation without the Consultancy Fees: Young people bring a different viewpoint, often uncoloured by years in a specific industry. They are digital natives, often more attuned to current trends, social media, and emerging technologies. Their insights into your products, services, or marketing could be invaluable and spark innovation – all for the cost of your time and mentorship.
- Project Support & Extra Hands: Do you have those “important but not urgent” tasks languishing on the to-do list? A well-structured work experience placement can provide support for specific, manageable projects. This could be market research, social media content creation, data organisation, or even helping to organise an event. This allows you to achieve more without necessarily increasing your permanent headcount.
- Boost Existing Staff Skills & Motivation: Giving your current employees the chance to mentor or supervise a young person can be a fantastic development opportunity for them. It hones their leadership, communication, and coaching skills, which can, in turn, boost their own engagement and productivity.
Beyond the Bottom Line: The Ripple Effect of Youth Engagement
The advantages aren’t purely financial. Engaging with local young people can:
- Elevate Your Community Profile: Being known as a business that invests in the next generation enhances your reputation locally. This positive PR can attract customers and build goodwill.
- Fulfil Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Goals: Supporting youth development is a key aspect of CSR, which is increasingly important to consumers and potential employees.
- Gain Insights into Generation Z and Alpha: These are your future customers and employees. Understanding their motivations, values, and how they see the world can give you a competitive edge.
- Increase Brand Awareness: Students will talk about their experiences with friends, family, and teachers, organically spreading awareness of your business.
Making it Work: Practical Steps for Small Businesses
The government guidance encourages schools to ensure students “encounter employers of different sizes and specialisms.” This means small businesses are actively being sought out. Here’s how to make it a success:
- Connect with Local Schools and Colleges: Reach out to careers leaders in nearby secondary schools and colleges. They are actively looking to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks and will likely welcome your interest.
- Think “Meaningful and Varied”: Even if you can’t offer a full week, could you provide a shorter, focused experience? This could be a taster day, a specific project, an invitation to a team meeting, a Q&A session with different staff members, or a chance to shadow various roles. The emphasis is on quality interaction.
- Structure is Key: Plan what the young person will do. Simple observation can be useful, but a placement becomes truly “meaningful” when it involves some hands-on tasks (appropriate to their age and skill level), opportunities to ask questions, and a chance to understand the different roles within your business.
- Define Clear Learning Outcomes: What do you want the student to gain from their time with you? What can they realistically contribute? Having clear objectives helps both parties.
- Be Inclusive and Flexible: Consider if you can offer virtual insights or hybrid models if physical space is a major constraint. The updated guidance acknowledges the role of technology.
The push for enhanced careers guidance and more employer encounters isn’t a burden; it’s an invitation. For small businesses, embracing the opportunity to work with young people can be a smart, sustainable way to save money, foster innovation, and build a stronger future for both your business and your community. Don’t miss out on this untapped goldmine.