Let's make it work: The Podcast

The Careers & Enterprise Company
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This podcast showcases voices from across education, business and policy, all united by one mission: making modern work experience truly possible for every young person. Brought to you by The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) – the national body for careers education. Across the series, we explore what modern work experience looks like in practice and share tangible takeaways you can use in your own settings. We also unpack equalex, CEC’s framework that sets out learner outcomes and a phased approach to designing meaningful, high-quality, progressive workplace experiences.

Episodes

  1. MAR 4

    A whole school approach to modern work experience

    In this episode, we explore how a whole-school approach can transform modern work experience into a powerful driver of engagement, attainment and sustained destinations.   This careers education podcast examines how leaders can position work experience as a strategic lever, strengthening attendance, raising aspirations and improving long-term outcomes. Through real examples and practical insight, we unpack embedding employability within the curriculum, building on existing good practice and securing leadership buy-in, ensuring every experience is purposeful and impactful This careers education podcast focuses on three core themes:  Mapping the great work you already do Many schools are already delivering fantastic career-related learning. We discuss how auditing existing activity, aligning it to frameworks like Gatsby Benchmarks and equalex, and strengthening evaluation can ensure experiences are progressive, inclusive and impactful.  Getting leadership buy-in Modern work experience is most powerful when it is seen not as an add-on, but as a strategic priority. We explore how to evidence impact through destination data, attendance patterns and compelling student stories, reframing modern work experience as central to improvement planning rather than peripheral to it.  Embedding in the curriculum Our guests discuss how employer encounters, workplace visits and structured reflection can be carefully designed to align with curriculum goals. By connecting subject learning to real-world application, schools can build confidence, develop transferable skills and support informed decision-making.  Useful resources:  Insight briefing 1: Modern work experience pilots | The Careers and Enterprise Company  equalex | CEC Resource Directory   Leadership in action: defining the future for high quality, modern work experience  Understanding how to embed progressive employer encounters and work experiences | CEC Resource Directory  Careers Impact system internal leadership review | CEC Resource Directory

    45 min

  2. FEB 11

    How modern work experience leads to apprenticeships

    In this episode, Sian explores how high-quality work experience can become a powerful stepping stone into apprenticeships - and the importance of inclusive, equitable access so all young people can see apprenticeships as a realistic next step.   Joined by Anna Morrison CBE, Director of Amazing Apprenticeships and Sophie Brown, Solicitor Apprentice and Co-Chair of The Careers & Enterprise Company's Youth Advisory group.    Together, they unpack how progressive work experience builds confidence, develops career-ready skills, and opens real pathways into apprenticeships, whilst demystifying career pathways and sharing lived experiences.  Useful resources:  Modern work experience  Amazing Apprenticeships | Explore Technical Education & Apprenticeship Opportunities  Accessing apprenticeships for SEND students   Youth Advisory Group | The Careers and Enterprise Company The Podcast | The Careers and Enterprise Company

    35 min

  3. JAN 14

    Bringing modern work experience to life

    In this episode of Let’s Make It Work, we explore how work experience has evolved – and what it needs to become if every young person is to benefit.  Joined by Bobby Seagull MBE – teacher, author and broadcaster, Nicola Hall, Director of Education at The Careers & Enterprise Company and Ian Browne, Early Careers and Skills Growth Lead at Lloyds Banking Group.   Together, the guests unpack the challenges of traditional, week-block placements and make the case for a more modern approach: multiple, high-quality workplace experiences embedded throughout education. They discuss how employers and educators can start small, co-create opportunities, raise aspirations, and close gaps for young people who are missing out.  Useful resources: Statutory guidance on careers, updated in May 2025   The Gatsby Benchmarks  Modern work experience and our research insights   Getting started with modern work experience for educators, employers and providers  Using the equalex learning outcomes to plan impactful work experience  What is Skills Builder?  Find out more about Lloyds Banking Group’s school engagement   Get in touch:   How is modern work experience being implemented in your organisation? What is working well for you so far? Please do get in touch at podcast@careersandenterprise.co.uk

    42 min
  4. Let's make it work: The Podcast trailer

    JAN 7

    Let's make it work: The Podcast trailer

    Hear from our host Sian Gresswell about what Let's make it work: The Podcast has to offer. Episode 1: Bringing modern work experience to life, drops on 14th January. Make sure to follow/subscribe to get notified when the episode is out. For more info on The Careers & Enterprise Company, visit our website.

    1 min

  5. 12/22/2025 · BONUS

    Coming soon!

    Our first episode will launch on the 14th January - for more exciting details, follow The Careers & Enterprise Company LinkedIn

    6 sec

Trailer

About

This podcast showcases voices from across education, business and policy, all united by one mission: making modern work experience truly possible for every young person. Brought to you by The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) – the national body for careers education. Across the series, we explore what modern work experience looks like in practice and share tangible takeaways you can use in your own settings. We also unpack equalex, CEC’s framework that sets out learner outcomes and a phased approach to designing meaningful, high-quality, progressive workplace experiences.

Information

  • Creator
    The Careers & Enterprise Company
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Careers & Enterprise Company
  • Show Website
    Let's make it work: The Podcast

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