YPIP & Equalex: Inspiring the Next Generation Through Work Experience

Information supplied by Joanna Stephenson of Think B2B Marketing.

At Young People In Print (YPIP), we are committed to connecting young people with high-quality work experiences that broaden horizons, build confidence, and prepare students for the future.

Through our partnership with the Equalex Programme, a government backed initiative that provides structured, inclusive work experiences for secondary school students to explore careers and develop essential skills, we supported secondary schools and local employers in 2025 to deliver structured, engaging, and inclusive opportunities for students to explore careers and develop essential skills.

Connecting Students with Employers

One of the key successes of the Equalex pilot was the involvement of Think B2B Marketing, a marketing agency that specialises in supporting the print and packaging sector, who welcomed students into their office for carousel-style sessions across multiple departments, including account management, digital marketing, events, and media buying.

This collaboration was made possible through YPIP, who directly connected Think B2B Marketing with participating schools and facilitated their involvement in the Equalex pilot.

By providing hands-on experiences and interactive workshops, the team helped students understand how different roles function within a marketing agency and how school subjects can link to future careers.

As part of the pilot, Senior Account Director Joanne Mead visited a local school where she delivered engaging marketing sessions to students from Years 7 to 11. Her sessions introduced young people to marketing, Think B2B’s work, and the industries they support including print, packaging, life sciences, and technology.

The partnership was facilitated by YPIP, ensuring schools had access to meaningful placements and that students could experience a variety of workplace environments. Through these sessions, students gained insight into professional life, explored their interests, and began to consider potential career pathways.

The programme also enabled deeper placements, such as a short work-experience week for Henley, a local Year 10 student, who spent several days at Think B2B exploring different parts of the business.

Structured, Inclusive Learning

The Equalex Programme is designed to deliver modern, equitable work experiences. Its framework supports:

• Progressive learning outcomes: Experiences are structured around measurable objectives, helping students develop skills, knowledge, and workplace behaviours aligned with Gatsby Benchmark 6.

• Inclusive participation: The programme is accessible to learners of all abilities and backgrounds, including SEND students, those in alternative provision, and students from lower socio-economic areas.

• Flexible formats: Experiences can be delivered in-person, virtually, or as hybrid placements, allowing schools and employers to adapt to different circumstances while maintaining meaningful engagement.

By embedding work experiences strategically within the school curriculum, the programme ensures students receive progressive exposure to the world of work, rather than one-off placements.

Impact on Students

The team at YPIP is delighted to confirm that the pilot programme demonstrated significant benefits for young people across multiple tiers of participation:

• Career clarity: 100% of Tier 3 students reported they were clearer about their future education or career choices.

• Awareness of workplaces: 93.9% of Tier 1 students understood that workplaces vary, including offices, warehouses, and remote working, while 75% of Tier 2 students reported the same.

• Reflection on skills: 91.8% of Tier 1 students said the activities helped them reflect on the qualifications and skills required in the workplace.

• Positive experience: Nearly 90% of Tier 1 students and 100% of Tier 2 students said they would describe their experience positively to parents or carers.

Students described their time with employers as “eye-opening,” “motivating,” and “positive.” Many developed new technical, communication, and teamwork skills, with some expressing interest in apprenticeships or confirming career aspirations.

This is particularly relevant for industries like print and packaging, which, despite being a major part of the UK economy, face a growing skills shortage. Many of the specialised skills and technical knowledge required in print are aging out of the workforce, and high-growth tech and other more attractive sectors often engage new talent instead.

Programmes like Equalex play a key role in addressing this gap by introducing young people to these essential, yet often overlooked, industries and inspire the next generation of print and packaging professionals.

Employer Engagement and Benefits

Employers also found the programme valuable. Think B2B Marketing praised the tiered approach, which enabled staff to contribute in multiple ways, both in-person and virtually while creating a “buzz in the office” and encouraging team participation.

“It sparked great conversations… reminded us of the importance of making space for new voices.” — Jo Mead, Senior Account Director, Think B2B Marketing

Employers noted that the programme boosted staff morale, offered opportunities for reflective practice, and provided meaningful engagement with young people, strengthening links between education and the labour market.

Lessons Learned

The Equalex pilot highlighted several important lessons for delivering high-quality, meaningful work experience.

Students remained most engaged when they were exposed to a variety of roles, sectors, and workplace environments, reinforcing the value of offering diverse encounters rather than relying on a single placement.

While virtual activities provided useful flexibility, the pilot showed that in-person experiences were significantly more impactful, suggesting that remote formats should act as supplements rather than substitutes.

Schools also identified the need for dedicated time, staffing, and early planning to deliver the programme effectively across all tiers, as competing priorities and limited capacity were common challenges.

Engagement from parents and carers emerged as another crucial factor, with ongoing communication needed to support students’ career thinking at home. Additionally, the pilot highlighted the importance of helping students connect their personal development goals to workplace behaviours, ensuring they understand how skills such as communication, self-management, and professionalism translate into real-world expectations.

Collectively, these insights demonstrate the value of a structured, well-supported approach to work experience that is embedded throughout the school’s career provision.

Looking Forward

The Equalex Programme demonstrated how structured, inclusive work experiences can inspire young people, support schools, and engage employers meaningfully. Through YPIP’s facilitation and the contribution of partners like Think B2B Marketing, the programme is poised to expand nationally, creating opportunities for more students to explore careers, build confidence, and develop the skills they need to succeed in the modern workplace.

With continued collaboration between schools, employers, and organisations like YPIP, the future of work experience is equitable, engaging, and impactful, helping young people take their first steps toward fulfilling careers.