Many of us can remember being teenagers and having no idea what we wanted to do for a job or what it might be possible for us to achieve in our careers and lives generally. We all had talents but were often unaware of them and that remains true today with an increasing number of young people lacking hope for their futures. Furthermore, post the pandemic our country has half a million less people working and young people increasingly choosing to be economically inactive. Wasted talent and negative outcomes are the result unless something significant is done about it.
Working Options in Education exists to help young people fulfil their potential. Our programmes help them to identify and nurture their capabilities, and to inspire and inform them about the possibilities available from further education, careers and life skills. We deliver these programmes to students, schools and colleges through face to face and online sessions, all delivered by a network of Partner companies and Volunteer individuals.
Working Options in Education targets students, schools and colleges in less privileged areas of the country as that is where most need for our services exist, but this isn’t just about levelling up or altruistic ambitions. We have a disproportionately positive impact on kids from these backgrounds. This is because capability in all its guises is distributed randomly amongst the population and certainly not according to wealth, yet often less privileged communities don’t recognise the talent and potential in their midst and have limited expectations or hope for what their young people might achieve.
Our state education system has limited resources which are focused mostly on teaching a broad curriculum and achieving exam success. There is less support for career and life skills development. That’s where Working Options makes a big impact, with often life-changing lightbulb moments for students. These interventions at such an influential age are critical to make young people aware of several things – they all have talents, there is hope for a rewarding career and satisfying life and most importantly that their possibilities and destiny are largely in their own hands as long as they are prepared to apply themselves. The principle of Self Learning is such a critical game changer! The difference this can make is literally like the flick of a switch from them being a potential force for bad to a much more positive force for good! In the past we perhaps relied on plenty of good fortune or serendipity helping us on our way, and although there is some truth in the cream rising to the top, Working Options is able to dramatically increase and accelerate the career journeys and life chances of young people.
The benefits to the individual and our society are many – increased confidence, less mental health issues, enhanced social mobility and greater diversity and inclusivity. Releasing this untapped human potential is a critical element in delivering improved economic productivity for our country. All of this is delivered by helping hand ups from our network of Partners and Volunteers, but reliant on the young people they inspire to make it happen for themselves!
If you’re a student, check out our Student Zone to find out more about who we are and what we offer. It’s all about unleashing your potential!
Teachers, we’ve got you covered too! Reach out to us to enquire about booking our free programmes for your school. Let’s empower your students and make a real impact together.
Keen to support our work? Get in touch with us using the form on this page. We’d love to hear from you and discuss how you can help with our mission to transform one million young lives by 2033.
