Offer work experience placements

Do you remember your first work experience? It may or may not have been a successful or enjoyable experience - but either way, that's all the more reason to play your part in ensuring that the next generation have positive early experiences of work.

The benefits go both ways, with numerous reasons why businesses benefit from offering work experience:

• Get an insight into the type of skills a young person could offer your business
• Early access to a new talent pool for recruitment into entry-level roles
• Increase diversity in your workforce
• Increase brand visibility in the community
• Get a fresh perspective on your business and processes
• Members of your team can develop their own management skills
• Help with workload or a specific busy project

If you'd like to offer work experience, fill in this quick online form on the Bucks Skills Hub website.

Exhibit at the Bucks Skills Show 2026

The Bucks Skills Show is a jewel in Buckinghamshire's crown, the premier careers and skills event in the county, hosted at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. There will be up to 5,000 visitors across the two days in March 2026.

Exhibition spaces are available to book now. They are likely to go fast due to the reputation the event has for connecting employers and young people, and for the rewarding nature of the event. Businesses have found their next star employees at the Bucks Skills Show before, while the pictures from this year's event give you a flavour of the fun and inspiration that is a hallmark of the Bucks Skills Show!

Do you have a skills shortage? Are you concerned about how work-ready young people are? Are you keen to raise your profile among future employees and their parents?

Aimed at young people aged 14-19, teachers, parent carers, and all adults looking for a career change, the 2026 Skills Show will be bigger and better than ever - meaning there's even more reason to book your exhibitor place!

Learn how Employer Standards can shape your future workforce

Employer Standards provide a clear framework for businesses of all sizes to maximise the impact of their engagement with young people, ensuring they inspire the next generation and prepare them for successful careers.

The Careers and Enterprise Company's (CEC) has developed a framework of nine standards designed to help employers evaluate and improve their careers education outreach. Employers are encouraged to use an online self-assessment tool that allows them to:

• Assess their current activities
• Benchmark against sector and national averages
• Track progress over time
• Improve their outreach efforts

After the self-assessment, employers receive a comprehensive report with results and recommendations and curated resources to improve the quality of their careers education outreach.

Learn more about how Employer Standards can shape your future workforce.