Compass Group UK & Ireland, Youth Employment UK, and social mobility charity Futures For All have partnered to create an initiative which will support entry-level jobseekers.
This forms part of Compass’ wider Classroom to Careers programme, which was launched earlier this year, to help young people develop the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to progress into sustainable and meaningful employment. This overarching strategy includes its Junior Chef Academy, apprenticeships, the Youth Guarantee and the virtual work experience platform.
The next phase includes the introduction of this joint initiative, which is designed to help further address the UK youth skills gap and boost social mobility by giving students aged 14–19 direct access to structured, employer-led career pathways.
Why the Classroom to Careers course is needed
The launch of the Classroom to Careers course responds more directly to challenges facing young jobseekers in the UK, as highlighted in Youth Employment UK’s 2026 Youth Voice Census Report:
Work Experience Gap: The Youth Voice Census Report revealed that a lack of work experience is the single biggest barrier to accessing work for 57% of young people (up from 47% in 2025), with only 28% confident they have suitable experience.
Local Opportunities & Employer Perception: 39% of young people do not believe good quality jobs are available in their local area, and only 18% believe that employers are supportive of hiring young people.
Direct Solution: The Classroom to Careers course directly addresses these obstacles by combining accessible online career exploration with Youth Employment UK and live virtual workplace sessions with Futures For All with guaranteed, hands-on in-person work experience placements at official Compass Group UK & Ireland venues nationwide.
Targeted specifically at secondary schools and colleges nationwide, the Classroom to Careers course provides a clear, 3-stage progression pathway bridging the gap between education and employment:
Stage 1: Explore Careers with Youth Employment UK – A flexible 1-hour interactive online module featuring seven learning units, real apprentice stories, and quizzes covering diverse pathways from culinary and hospitality to HR, finance, and digital roles. Initially launched earlier this year, the platform is already available to 1,000 educators.
Stage 2: Remote Insight Days with Futures For All –This partnership is now introducing live, interactive virtual sessions running 4th–12th February 2027 via Google Classroom, featuring workplace simulations, live Q&As, and direct engagement with industry staff.
Stage 3: In-Person Work Experience with Compass Group UK&I – 3-to-5-day hands-on placements running May–July 2027 on-site at official Compass venues across the country.
"We believe every young person should have access to the skills, experiences and opportunities that help them build a successful future. This is another important milestone in our Classroom to Careers journey - creating clear pathways from education into meaningful employment. By bringing together the expertise of Youth Employment UK, Futures For All and Compass, this new course provides a practical solution to the barriers many young people face. Together, we are helping to raise aspirations, improve social mobility and inspire the next generation of talent."
- Jonathan Foot, Director of Skills and Early Careers, Compass Group UK & Ireland
“Our Youth Voice Census findings clearly show that young people want to work, but a lack of work experience and confidence remains their biggest barrier to securing entry-level roles. The Classroom to Careers course offers a direct solution by connecting online career exploration and virtual insight days directly with meaningful, hands-on work experience. By partnering with Compass Group UK & Ireland and Futures For All, we are breaking down barriers, empowering state school and college students across the UK, and giving them the real world skills and industry connections they need to thrive in the workplace.”
- Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE DL, CEO of Youth Employment UK
“Every young person deserves a real shot at a career, whatever their starting point. That's what the Classroom to Careers course is about. We're proud to work alongside Compass and Youth Employment UK to open doors into one of the UK's most vital sectors, giving young people hands-on work experience and the confidence to take their first step."
- Nick Brook, CEO, Futures For All
How Schools Can Get Involved
The programme is completely free for all UK state-funded schools and colleges. Students must complete Stage 1 by 31st December 2026 to unlock eligibility for the virtual insight days and on-site placements.
Educators can register their classes and access key classroom resources, including single-page briefs and promotional posters by visiting youthemployment.org.uk.
