Form the Future’s Ambassador community gathered this week for an evening of insight, discussion and shared purpose, exploring one of the most pressing challenges facing young people today: access to meaningful work experience.
Hosted by Raspberry Pi Foundation and Sonja Povey, the Ambassador Get Together brought together professionals from across sectors, united by a common goal, helping young people better understand and prepare for the world of work.
A changing landscape
The session, led by Phoebe Pratley and David Brockway, opened with a clear picture of the current landscape. While work experience remains a vital stepping stone, access is declining:
- Only 49% of Year 10 students in England completed a placement last year
- Just 28% of employers feel young people are well prepared for the workplace
- Nearly one million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training
These figures set the tone for an evening focused not just on challenges, but on practical, collaborative solutions.
The power of early experiences
A key theme throughout the evening was the lasting impact of early exposure to the workplace. Ambassadors shared personal reflections on their own journeys — from formal placements to part-time roles — and how these experiences helped build confidence, communication skills and direction.
For many, these moments were pivotal. They shaped decisions, opened doors, and helped turn uncertainty into opportunity.
This is exactly where Form the Future’s Ambassador community plays a crucial role.
What employers need
Drawing on Form the Future’s latest research, the discussion also explored what employers need to offer more work experience opportunities. The priorities were clear:
- Support with finding and matching students
- Clear, simple processes
- Guidance on structuring placements
- Light-touch support throughout
These insights reinforce the importance of partnership — and the role Form the Future plays in bridging the gap between education and employment.
A shared vision
The evening captured the spirit of the Ambassador community: people giving their time, insight and experience to support the next generation.
As Lucille Froggett from The Cambridge Building Society shared:
“I met some wonderful people, all with the same vision, to support young people navigate their way into the working world into a career they love.”
That shared vision is what drives the Ambassador programme forward — creating meaningful connections between young people and the world of work, and ensuring opportunities are not left to chance.
Building futures, together
Form the Future’s Ambassadors are at the heart of this work. Through mentoring, school engagement, careers events and work experience support, they help young people:
- See what’s possible before choices feel fixed
- Build confidence and essential skills
- Connect learning to real-world opportunities
By working together with schools and employers, the Ambassador community is helping to remove barriers and open up pathways that might otherwise remain out of reach.
The evening concluded with thanks to everyone who contributed, and to Oscar’s Lockdown Pizza for keeping everyone fuelled throughout the discussions
Interested in becoming an Ambassador?
Join a growing community of professionals helping to shape the future workforce. Whether you can give an hour or a day, your experience could make a lasting difference. Click here to find out more.