No Talent Wasted: Opening doors for every young person
No Talent Wasted: Opening doors for every young person
Sandra Kerr CBE, Race Director at Business in the Community, explores the No Talent Wasted Report and why employers must act to remove barriers for young people.
The Race Equity in Employment Taskforce released its No Talent Wasted report with a clear message: the UK cannot afford to let systemic barriers deny young people the chance to earn, learn and build their futures. At a time when the country is focused on growth, productivity and opportunity, we must act now to prevent a lost generation of young people being shut out of work experience and apprenticeship pathways.
Why should employers, government and policy makers act?
Because the prize is too significant to ignore. The potential economic boost to the UK economy if it tackles the racial disparities in the labour market is estimated at £37 billion a year, which equates to  £712 million every week.1 In every conversation about growth, skills and national renewal, we should be asking one urgent question: why would we leave this talent untapped when practical action could bring us closer to unlocking it?
This is also a moral imperative on those in a position of power. Let’s do the right thing. No young person should be denied the chance to build confidence, skills and ambition because of their race, background, postcode or lack of connections. If talent is everywhere, opportunity must be too: employers, government and policy makers have a responsibility to open doors that too often remain closed.
More structured work experience opportunities are urgently needed
The BITC Race at Work 2025 survey found that only 35% of employees said their organisation provided formal work experience for young people. Wales was the least likely to provide formal work experience opportunities at 22%, while London was the most likely at 39%. These figures show that too many young people still rely on geography, networks or chance to access a meaningful first experience of work. We need great opportunities in every city, every town and every place.
We need more businesses, large and small, to be incentivised, supported and encouraged to create high-quality formal and informal work experience opportunities. Every young person should be able to access a positive first experience of work that builds confidence, develops skills and inspires ambition for the future.
The gap between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large businesses makes the challenge clear: 28% of SMEs provide formal work experience, compared with 41% of large businesses. Small businesses have a vital role to play, but they need additional support to make this a reality. With 1,012,000 young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) between January and March 20262, there is a timely opportunity to explore how unspent Growth and Skills Levy funding could help create pathways into work. This would help ensure no one is left behind or left without opportunity.
As part of our Talent Unlocked Partnership with Youth Futures Foundation, we spoke with young people from Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse backgrounds at a long table event in May this year. They told us loud and clear that they understand the value of work experience. They know it strengthens their portfolios, supports skills development and helps them prepare for the future. What they need now is for employers across industries and sectors to open the doors.
Ensuring the workplace culture is right
Creating opportunities is only the first step. Employers must also ensure that the workplace culture is ready to welcome, support and develop young people. That means briefing managers, individuals and teams who will host or supervise young people on work experience and ensuring they understand the role they play in building confidence and belonging.
Mentorship and coaching can make a powerful difference. They give young people time to reflect on what they have learned, recognise the skills they have gained and practise how to talk about their experience with others. A well-designed placement should not only show a young person what work looks like; it should help them see where they can belong and succeed.
Now is the time to act. I have no doubt that UK employers, government and policy makers can come together to make this happen. We all have a role to play in opening the door to opportunity. Whether you’re taking your first steps or strengthening your organisation’s approach, BITC has resources to help. You can:
