of young people asked about employment barriers said a lack of work experience was preventing them from accessing work.
Source: Youth Voice Census 2026For adult care, early years and funeral service employers
First job.Future career.
Create a supported first step into a career built around people.
Around one million 16 to 24-year-olds are outside education, employment or training, yet young people want the chance to work, contribute and progress. Adult care, early years and funeral services can offer purposeful careers when employers open the door and people receive the right support to thrive. First Job. Future Career. helps employers create those opportunities through apprenticeships.
You create the opportunity. We support the person behind it.
Plan your first opportunity
of young people surveyed while outside education, employment or training wanted to move into work, education or training.
Source: DWP Young People and Work 2026of young people believe good-quality jobs are available where they live.
Source: Youth Voice Census 2026The employer promise
Six building blocks of a good first opportunity.
A first role in a people-led service should build confidence, belonging and a clear sense of where someone can go next.
Create opportunity
Open genuine entry routes into vital services for young people.
See the person
Recruit for values and potential, not simply previous experience.
Support people well
Provide thoughtful induction, line management and tailored learning support.
Develop skills
Build capability and confidence through sector-relevant apprenticeships.
Create belonging
Help young people feel trusted, valued and part of the team.
Show progression
Make a first role the beginning of a visible, rewarding career path.
Choose your route
Start where your organisation is now.
One opportunity, a recruitment need or a larger workforce plan: there is a practical next step.
Health and Social Care Foundation Apprenticeship
A supported route into adult care for young people to build workplace confidence, essential skills and hands-on experience before progressing.
Explore the Foundation Apprenticeship →Recruit for potential across people-led services
Have a vacancy? Our recruitment support helps adult care, early years and funeral employers find people with the values and motivation to thrive.
Explore Adult Care Recruitment →Explore Early Years Recruitment →
Explore Funeral Services Recruitment →
Build clear apprenticeship pathways
Create entry routes and visible progression across adult care, early years and funeral services, from a first role through to leadership.
Explore apprenticeships →One partner. The whole journey.
Connect2Care supports every step.
From planning the opportunity to helping each apprentice progress, the whole journey is visible at a glance.
Plan and attract
PlanWorkforce planning and the right entry roles
AttractValues-led candidate attraction
Recruit and start well
MatchRecruiting and matching apprentices
Start wellOnboarding and initial assessment
Include and engage
IncludeSEND, English, maths and additional learning needs
EngageLine-manager engagement and pastoral support
Develop and progress
DevelopSector-expert training and progress reviews
ProgressEarly-retention support, achievement and progression
Evidence and guidance
Understand the challenge. Act on the opportunity.
Manifesto
TOP Youth Employment Manifesto
Recommendations for creating better routes into employment and apprenticeships for young people.
Read the manifestoResearchThe First Rung
How the quality of someone's first job can shape progression, confidence and earnings.
Read the researchIndependent reviewYoung People and Work
The independent review examining why more young people are becoming detached from education and employment.
Read the reviewYouth insightYouth Voice Census 2026
The experiences of 11,508 young people across life, education, careers and employment.
Read the censusPractical guideFirst Job. Future Career. Employer Guide
Practical steps employers of every size can take to create a good first career opportunity.
Preview download actionNew Employer ResourceEmployability Skills Framework
Skills England has recently launched an Employability Skills Framework, setting out the skills young people need for a first job and practical guidance on what employers can look for, assess and help develop.
Read about the framework
