Bridging the Gap Between Education and Employment: Key Insights from Our Webinar in the Impact Hour Series

In today’s complex post-pandemic labour market, young people face an escalating crisis of opportunity. Our webinar, part of the Impact Hour series, hosted by leading professionals in careers education and social impact, sheds light on the widening gap between education and employment, and offers actionable solutions from employers, educators, and policymakers alike.

This article highlights the central themes, key discussion points, and compelling takeaways from a powerful panel featuring Sean Condron (EMEA Social Impact Lead at JLL), Richard Dawney Savage (Senior Programmes Manager at the Careers & Enterprise Company), and Louise Quinney (COO at Movement to Work).

The NEET Crisis: A Perfect Storm of Challenges

Pandemic Fallout & Mental Health Pressures

A convergence of post-pandemic disruption, cost-of-living pressures, and youth mental health challenges is driving more young people into NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) status. Many are graduating without real-world experience, confidence, or the support networks necessary to secure a job - a concern Louise highlighted in our discussion.

Labour Market Complexity & Qualification Inflation

Despite more young people gaining qualifications than ever before, employers are raising the bar. The job market is more competitive, and academic success alone is no longer enough to stand out. Richard emphasised that this disconnect is making it harder for young people to move confidently from education into work.

Youth Unemployment in Ireland

In Ireland, rising youth unemployment and increasing emigration are becoming significant concerns. Limited access to tertiary education, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is being compounded by the influence of fee-paying schools. Sean brought this international perspective to the discussion, highlighting how inequality continues to restrict opportunities for many young people.

What Prevents Access to Early Careers Opportunities?

Lack of Real Work Experience

According to the panel, the education system often fails to offer transferable experience. Young people are trapped in a catch-22: employers want experience, but few are willing to provide it.

Social Capital & Confidence Deficits

Many young people lack the connections and adult support needed to successfully navigate career pathways. Louise noted that without guidance on CV writing, interview prep, or career advice, these youth fall behind.

Barriers for Neurodivergent & Single Parent Youth

The panel addressed structural barriers for specific groups. Neurodivergent youth face inaccessible hiring processes, while young parents are often excluded due to inflexible work arrangements and lack of childcare support.

The Role of Purposeful Work Experience

Structured, Supported & Progression-Focused

Effective work experience should be built on a foundation of structure, mentorship, and clear progression routes. Louise emphasised that, when delivered well, these programmes can be truly life-changing - boosting confidence, building skills, and setting young people up for long-term employability.

Evolving the Experience Model

CEC’s progressive careers framework, outlined by Richard, begins with early exposure in Year 7 and develops into more targeted placements by the post-16 stage. The emphasis lies in providing continuity, a variety of experiences, and ensuring each one feels relevant and meaningful to young people.

Virtual Innovation: JLL x META Case Study

The “Building Your Future” virtual programme, created by JLL and META in partnership with Springpod, is a standout example of digital innovation. As Sean highlighted, over 6,000 students have taken part, gaining flexible, multimedia-rich insights into careers in real estate and facilities management. Delivered via Springpod’s Virtual Work Experience platform, the programme exemplifies the scalable power of virtual experiences - something backed by our SROI report, which found VWEX generated £98 million in social value and a 59% increase in job readiness among participants.

The Realities of NEET Youth in the UK Today

Our webinar panel highlighted that NEET status is rarely the result of disengagement alone. More often, it arises from a complex combination of socioeconomic hardship, limited access to information, and mental health challenges. According to Springpod’s 2025 Gen Z Career Survey, 69% of students say that thinking about their future career causes them stress - an issue even more pronounced among those eligible for free school meals or who are neurodivergent.

From Disengagement to Disempowerment

For many young people, particularly those from under-resourced communities, early disengagement from education rapidly escalates into long-term disempowerment. Louise noted the importance of scaffolding interventions early, before a young person becomes chronically disconnected. Springpod’s research shows that 53.5% of students do not have access to a career role model, highlighting a visibility gap that structured, inclusive career education must fill.

The Barriers to Access: Structural, Social, and Psychological

The panel explored how intersectionality plays a critical role. From inflexible systems that overlook the needs of single parents, to inaccessible recruitment practices for neurodivergent individuals, the structural and social blocks are vast. Richard noted that traditional CV-based hiring often disadvantages those without insider knowledge, social capital, or polished digital literacy. This is where Virtual Work Experience, especially when personalised and supported like Springpod’s, becomes a levelling tool—removing geographical, financial, and logistical barriers to access.

What Does Good Look Like in Early Careers Experiences?

Good early careers experiences aren’t just about placing students in any available role, they are structured, guided, and integrated with learning outcomes. Louise spoke about the importance of wraparound support, mentoring, and a clear connection to progression opportunities. Programs like Springpod’s Career Readiness suite aim to build confidence and clarity, addressing the full readiness equation: confidence + clarity + opportunity.

Employer Engagement: The Key to Transformation

Employers continue to be the most influential catalysts for change. Sean underlined how partnerships like JLL’s collaboration with Springpod and META demonstrate a vital move away from one-off placements towards sustained, systemic engagement. The panel also explored the crucial role employers play in shaping curricula, mentoring students, and driving long-term employability initiatives.

The Role of Employers in Tackling NEET Inequality

Our panelists called on employers to move beyond traditional CSR and embrace youth employment as a strategic priority for long-term talent development and social equity. Louise stressed that flexible, inclusive work experience models, whether virtual or in-person, are vital interventions for supporting NEET young people. By investing in bespoke support and inclusive recruitment pipelines, employers not only tackle inequality head-on but also secure the resilience and future-readiness of their workforce.

Embedding Social Impact through Virtual Work Experience

Virtual Work Experience has emerged as a high-impact, scalable way to bridge the opportunity gap. As outlined in Springpod’s recent reports, more than one million enrolments have taken place across programmes, driving a 45% increase in student confidence and a 91% improvement in career clarity. These digital programs offer more than access - they build the foundation for social mobility by connecting students with real employers, real insights, and real pathways.

From Intention to Measurable Outcomes: The Power of SROI

Measurement matters. One of the standout themes in our webinar was the importance of proving impact. The Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework used by Springpod demonstrates the tangible value of early career interventions, from improving student confidence and readiness to contributing £98 million in social value to date. This commitment to transparency is critical for building trust with funders, employers, and educational institutions.

Conclusion: From Barriers to Breakthroughs

Our Impact Hour webinar underscored a shared mission across sectors: to empower young people with the tools, experiences, and confidence to thrive. The NEET crisis is solvable - but only through collaboration, creativity, and accountability. Virtual Work Experience, proactive employer engagement, and measurable interventions like those driven by Springpod are leading the way toward a future where every young person has the opportunity to succeed.

Missed the webinar? Watch it now >

Resources mentioned:

FAQs

What is NEET and why is it important? NEET stands for Not in Education, Employment, or Training. High NEET rates indicate systemic failures in transitioning young people into the workforce and can lead to long-term economic and social challenges.
How can Virtual Work Experience help tackle youth unemployment? Virtual Work Experience provides accessible, scalable, and structured exposure to industries and roles, improving confidence, skills, and employability,especially for those lacking traditional access to work placements.
What is SROI and how does it relate to youth career programs? SROI (Social Return on Investment) is a method to quantify the social value generated by programs. Springpod’s SROI data shows their initiatives have delivered £98 million in value through improved readiness and opportunity access.
Why should employers invest in early careers experiences? Employer involvement helps build diverse talent pipelines, enhances brand equity, and contributes to measurable social impact. It also ensures that programs are aligned with real industry needs.
How can schools better support disadvantaged students with career readiness? By partnering with platforms like Springpod, schools can offer consistent, inclusive, and engaging experiences. Digital tools can supplement limited in-school resources, providing tailored support to every learner.

Bridging the Gap: Key Insights from the Youth Employment & Work Experience Webinar