Employers should teach primary-age children about work, says Milburn
Former minister Alan Milburn has proposed that primary school children should be introduced to career paths to help reduce the number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The plan includes mandatory work experience for 14- to 16-year-olds, though unions have expressed concerns about school capacity.
Why it matters
Addressing youth unemployment through early career exposure is a significant policy debate regarding the alignment of education systems with labor market needs.
Image source, Getty Images By Hannah Karpel Published 2 hours ago Children should be introduced to the world of work at the start of primary school, says the author of a major report into youth activity in the UK.
Former minister Alan Milburn says children as young as four should be learning about different careers, with work experience placements made mandatory for 14- to 16-year-olds.
However, teaching unions warn of the "significant pressure" already facing primary schools and say practical considerations must ensure all schools have access to the support.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests 981,000 people aged 16 to 24 in the UK were not in education, employment or training (known as Neet), between April and June 2026.
Milburn told the BBC "in primary school, it's really about opening their eyes and giving them a sense about what is possible".
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