The Career Ready Programme

For over 20 years we’ve worked in areas of need across the UK to change lives and boost social mobility by connecting young people aged 15-18 to workplace opportunities and support. We deliver a structured programme of mentoring, a paid internship, masterclasses and workplace visits.

We are currently unable to accept new schools or colleges onto our 2026-27 programme. If you would like to register your interest then we will be in touch should our capacity change.

Our programme

A transformational programme for career success

Our programme is mapped to specific learning outcomes, enabling young people to develop the skills, confidence, and experience needed to kickstart their future. On completing our programme, students continue to connect with our partners gain further experiences and support via our Alumni Network.

As a social mobility charity, we support young people who potentially face barriers in education and employment and whose talents often go undiscovered.

Our programme structure:

The programme challenged me from day one and raised my aspirations. There was something exciting about meeting new people and, through them, I was able to collect early experiences and lessons about the world of work.

Ryan Thorne, Career Ready Alumnus

I went through a very bumpy time but my mentors, Danielle and Lara, helped me see my full potential. The journey that I’ve been on has been magical.

Angel, Career Ready Alumnus

A transformational programme for career success

As a social mobility charity, we support young people who potentially face barriers in education and employment and whose talents often go undiscovered.

Students launch event while in Y12 or S5 (or FE College equivalent) and meet their mentor.

12x monthly (1-hour) mentor meetings at mentor’s workplace or school/college.

A 4 week paid summer internship between June – August.

6 masterclasses delivered by volunteers at key points in the programme and get a behind the scenes look at the world of work.

Mentoring

Monthly meetings between young people and their mentor at mentor’s workplace

Paid internship

A four week paid summer internship for young people at their mentor’s organisation

Masterclasses

Six masterclasses delivered by employer volunteers at key points in the programme

Workplace visits

Young people are inspired with insights into organisations and sectors, may be combined with a masterclass

Alumni Network

Sustained support for our young people through our Alumni Network as they take their next steps in employment and education

Our skills framework

Skills for Career Success

We measure the impact of our programmes using a set of outcomes designed in partnership with employers and educators, mapped to the level and intensity of each programme.

Students assess their Skills for Career Success at key points, which they reflect upon with their mentors in monthly meetings.

Enhanced Skills

Career Ready is a fantastic programme for our young people. The impact on our students is extremely positive and long-lasting. Our Year 12 students are able to gain vital employability skills and it equips them with the confidence to apply for a range of destinations, from the most competitive apprenticeship opportunities to university courses. It is such a valuable part of our careers provision.

Clare Lucas, Assistant Principal and Careers Leader, Elliott Hudson College, Leeds

Adaptability

I react positively to changes and can use challenges as a way to grow.

I do this by:

Identifying opportunities to improve my skills
Taking the initiative
Being open minded and understanding different jobs will exist in the future.

Communication and networking

I can introduce myself to new people and can speak about myself confidently.

I do this by:

Listening effectively
Asking relevant questions
Being able to confidently introduce myself to new people and speak about myself

Creativity

I have the skills to think about things in a new way. I can use my imagination to think of different ideas.

I do this by:

Understanding creativity is about ideas and how we develop them
Using my imagination to think of new ideas
Thinking of ways to improve something and explaining why

Managing my career

I understand what I need to do to get into different types of career.

I do this by:

Understanding jobs and how suited I am to any opportunity
Preparing for interviews
Maintaining an up to date personal development record

Managing myself

I have the skills to organise my own time well and can set goals for myself.

I do this by:

Planning, organising and thinking about my priorities
Taking responsibility for my actions and decisions
Using positive and negative feedback to help me develop

Problem-solving

I have the skills, knowledge and experience to make a plan when problems happen.

I do this by:

Reviewing relevant information
Thinking about how my actions affect situations
Talking with relevant people or groups

Team work

I can work well with other people.

I do this by:

Building relationships
Being supportive to others
Respecting other people’s opinions, ideas, skills and values

Skills for Career Success

We measure the impact of our programmes using a set of outcomes designed in partnership with employers and educators, mapped to the level and intensity of each programme.

Students assess their Skills for Career Success at key points, which they reflect upon with their mentors in monthly meetings.

Enhanced Skills

Clare Lucas, Assistant Principal and Careers Leader, Elliott Hudson College, Leeds

Adaptability

I react positively to changes and can use challenges as a way to grow.

I do this by:

Identifying opportunities to improve my skills
Taking the initiative
Being open minded and understanding different jobs will exist in the future.

Communication and networking

I can introduce myself to new people and can speak about myself confidently.

I do this by:

Listening effectively
Asking relevant questions
Being able to confidently introduce myself to new people and speak about myself

Creativity

I have the skills to think about things in a new way. I can use my imagination to think of different ideas.

I do this by:

Understanding creativity is about ideas and how we develop them
Using my imagination to think of new ideas
Thinking of ways to improve something and explaining why

Managing my career

I understand what I need to do to get into different types of career.

I do this by:

Understanding jobs and how suited I am to any opportunity
Preparing for interviews
Maintaining an up to date personal development record

Managing myself

I have the skills to organise my own time well and can set goals for myself.

I do this by:

Planning, organising and thinking about my priorities
Taking responsibility for my actions and decisions
Using positive and negative feedback to help me develop

Problem-solving

I have the skills, knowledge and experience to make a plan when problems happen.

I do this by:

Reviewing relevant information
Thinking about how my actions affect situations
Talking with relevant people or groups

Team work

I can work well with other people.

I do this by:

Building relationships
Being supportive to others
Respecting other people’s opinions, ideas, skills and values

Our network

Employers

Our growing employer network ensures that young people are able to develop the workplace experiences, support, and skills they need to prepare for the world of work.

The range of employers, across different sectors and sizes, provide an amazing network within which lie the opportunities for students to explore.

Volunteers

Our volunteers make a transformational difference to a young person’s future.

From mentoring, to skills masterclasses and workplace visits, we have a variety of ways you can volunteer to support young talent.

Get involved

Alumni

Our students journey to becoming Career Ready doesn’t stop when you graduate, so neither does our support.

After the graduating the Career Ready programme, students have the opportunity join our UK-wide alumni network of over 4,000 fellow alumni, employers, and volunteers.

Schools

We work closely with every school and college to manage our programme and deliver life-changing outcomes for learners.

Together, we support students with awareness-raising, application and participation, through to progressing into a positive next step on their chosen career and education path.

find out more

GET IN TOUCH

Employers

Our growing employer network ensures that young people are able to develop the workplace experiences, support, and skills they need to prepare for the world of work.

The range of employers, across different sectors and sizes, provide an amazing network within which lie the opportunities for students to explore.

Get involved

Volunteers

Our volunteers make a transformational difference to a young person’s future.

From mentoring, to skills masterclasses and workplace visits, we have a variety of ways you can volunteer to support young talent.

Alumni

Our students journey to becoming Career Ready doesn’t stop when you graduate, so neither does our support.

After the graduating the Career Ready programme, students have the opportunity join our UK-wide alumni network of over 4,000 fellow alumni, employers, and volunteers.

find out more

Schools

We work closely with every school and college to manage our programme and deliver life-changing outcomes for learners.

Together, we support students with awareness-raising, application and participation, through to progressing into a positive next step on their chosen career and education path.

Our impact

Laura’s support has helped me so much. My confidence has grown and she’s helped me with my CV as well as my personal statement to university. Thanks to her guidance, I now feel prepared to study pharmacy at university.

Zahrah Aljurani, Career Ready Alumnus