01 February 2026
Work Experience – survey asks what’s needed to make it work
The CDI is supporting research by Education and Employers to understand what schools need to help them meet the new work experience requirements. Find out more about the research and access the survey.
The Department for Education is introducing new work experience requirements for all 11–16-year-olds in England to increase engagement with the workplace. These requirements, which are expected to be made statutory, specify that students in years 7 to 9 must participate in at least five days of ‘work experience activities’ and students during years 10 and 11 must participate in one or more ‘work experience placements’ lasting at least five days in total.
This is a major policy change and, while the CDI supports the policy, we have heard from members who are uncertain about what this means for them and how they will meet the requirements with the resources they have.
We are therefore pleased to support research being undertaken by Education and Employers to understand the concerns around meeting the requirements and identify support that would be beneficial to schools.
The Education and Employers charity has undertaken many studies on employers and employer engagement, including on work experience, over the past 15 years. This independent comprehensive review considers how work experience might be delivered and the benefits to young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The results of the survey will be presented to Government, so it is really important that your views on the changes are captured. Please do take the time to complete the survey and share with your colleagues.
You can find more information on the research and take the Education and Employers Work Experience survey now.
The Department for Education is introducing new work experience requirements for all 11–16-year-olds in England to increase engagement with the workplace. These requirements, which are expected to be made statutory, specify that students in years 7 to 9 must participate in at least five days of ‘work experience activities’ and students during years 10 and 11 must participate in one or more ‘work experience placements’ lasting at least five days in total.
This is a major policy change and, while the CDI supports the policy, we have heard from members who are uncertain about what this means for them and how they will meet the requirements with the resources they have.
We are therefore pleased to support research being undertaken by Education and Employers to understand the concerns around meeting the requirements and identify support that would be beneficial to schools.
The Education and Employers charity has undertaken many studies on employers and employer engagement, including on work experience, over the past 15 years. This independent comprehensive review considers how work experience might be delivered and the benefits to young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The results of the survey will be presented to Government, so it is really important that your views on the changes are captured. Please do take the time to complete the survey and share with your colleagues.
You can find more information on the research and take the Education and Employers Work Experience survey now.
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