This research report was carried out in 2021-22 by Pro Bono Economics. The report examines the economic benefits of the Career Ready programme based on its impact on A-level attainment in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Key findings
Research carried out by the team at Pro Bono Economics found that our programme has a clear impact on the academic attainment of students studying A-Levels in England, as well as a wider socio-economic impact:
- Career Ready Alumni are 14 percentage points more likely to achieve two or more A-Levels than a matched comparison group with similar background.
- The average long-term economic benefit of this improved academic attainment could be as much as £12,800 per alumnus. This is driven by increased productivity, as measured by increased wages and reduced unemployment
- For a typical annual cohort of 1,800 young people on the programme, there would be a long-term economic benefit of £23.1 million
- Career Ready Alumni are 7 percentage points less likely to be unemployed than a comparison group of similar students
About the report
This report analyses the economic benefits of the Career Ready programme based on its impact on A-level attainment in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The work builds on a survey dataset that was developed previously by Opinium, drawn from survey responses from young people who have been supported through Career Ready as well as a comparison group of individuals that have not been supported.
About Pro Bono Economics
Pro Bono Economics uses economics to empower the social sector and to increase well-being across the UK. They combine project work for individual charities and social enterprises with policy research that can drive systemic change. Working with 400 volunteer economists, they have supported over 500 charities since their inception in 2009.
