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Writer's pictureAlex Hughes

The Crucial Role of Social Mobility in Accessing Quality Work Experience



In today's rapidly evolving job market, work experience has become an essential stepping stone for young people aspiring to build meaningful careers. It offers invaluable opportunities to develop skills, gain insights into professional environments, and establish networks that can lead to future employment. However, the reality is that access to quality work experience is not distributed equally. Social mobility plays a significant role in determining whether a young person can secure these opportunities, and for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the odds are often stacked against them.


Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals or families to move between social constructs in a society, often through changes in income, education, and occupation. In the context of work experience, social mobility can either facilitate or hinder access to opportunities that are crucial for career development. Young people with higher social capital, so those who have access to networks of well-connected family members, friends, or mentors are often better positioned to secure internships, placements, and other types of work experience.


On the darker side, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, who lack these connections, often find themselves at a significant disadvantage. The logic here is simple. If a young person doesn't have the social connections to access quality work experience, their chances of getting such opportunities are significantly reduced. This lack of access can perpetuate a cycle of limited opportunities, where the absence of work experience leads to fewer job prospects, which in turn limits social mobility further.

As someone who has spent considerable time walking the floors of factories and workplaces, I make it a point to ask young employees how they secured their positions. The responses are almost always rooted in personal connections: "I did work experience at my uncle's place," "My auntie put me in touch," or "A family friend recommended me." These anecdotes highlight a common thread. The majority of young people who gain access to quality work experience do so through networks of family or community connections.


This situation is not limited to a particular industry or region. Across various sectors, the ability to tap into social networks often determines whether a young person can secure work experience that adds real value to their career prospects. For those without these connections, the path is much steeper and often fraught with challenges.

Data supports the argument that social mobility (or the lack of it) plays a crucial role in accessing work experience. A report by the Social Mobility Commission found that young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are less likely to secure work experience placements compared to their more affluent peers. This disparity is often due to a lack of connections, with many young people relying on informal networks to secure placements.


Additionally, research conducted by the Sutton Trust revealed that over half of work experience placements are obtained through personal connections, further reinforcing the idea that social capital is a significant determinant in accessing these opportunities. The same report also highlighted that unpaid internships, which are often a gateway to more permanent roles, are disproportionately accessible to those from wealthier backgrounds, who can afford to work without pay for extended periods.

The impact of limited access to work experience is far-reaching. Without the opportunity to gain practical experience in a professional setting, young people are at a disadvantage when entering the job market. They may struggle to build the skills, confidence, and networks needed to succeed in their chosen fields. This lack of experience can also hinder their ability to compete with peers who have had access to more robust work experience opportunities.


I would say, the absence of work experience can widen the cycle of inequality. Young people who are unable to secure work experience are less likely to move into well-paying jobs, which in turn limits their ability to improve their socioeconomic status. This cycle not only affects the individuals involved but also has broader implications for social mobility and economic equality in society.


To address these disparities we must break this cycle, there is a pressing need to create more inclusive work experience opportunities that are accessible to all young people, regardless of their background. This can be achieved through several strategies:


Partnerships with Schools and Community Organisations: Employers can work with schools and community organisations to identify and support young people who may not have access to traditional networks. These partnerships can help bridge the gap and provide valuable work experience opportunities to those who need them most. You must though take some of the other barriers away for the young people and make reasonable adjustments to transport and food. 


Funding and Support for Unpaid Internships: Governments and private sector organisations can offer funding and support for unpaid internships, ensuring that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are not excluded from these opportunities due to financial constraints. I know I have seen where we are Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority have a strong internship programme to contribute to 50% of the cost of paid internships, a great example of this starting to move in the right direction.


Mentorship and Networking: Establishing mentorship and networking opportunities that connect young people with professionals in their field of interest can help them build the social capital needed to secure work experience placements. Inspire 2 Ignite CIC and 20/20 Levels are two organisations that pride themselves on helping young people build social mobility through networks and boast excellent hire rates at the end of their programmes.


Transparent Recruitment Processes: Employers can implement transparent and merit-based recruitment processes for work experience placements, reducing the reliance on personal connections and ensuring that all young people have an equal chance to participate. There will be a way very soon for organisations to measure and celebrate their cultural maturity when it comes to hiring young people and this will be a crucial step to having youth representative organisations helping the private sector develop cultures that enable young people to thrive.


Government and Corporate Policies: Policies that incentivise businesses to provide work experience opportunities to disadvantaged youth can play a crucial role in levelling the playing field. This could include tax breaks or recognition for companies that actively participate in such programmes.


My ask, simply to appreciate that the link between social mobility and access to work experience is clear. To create a more equitable society, we must address the barriers that prevent young people from disadvantaged backgrounds from accessing these opportunities. By doing so, we not only help individual young people to succeed but also contribute to a more diverse, inclusive, and dynamic workforce.


The need for more work experience opportunities is not just a matter of economic necessity, it is a moral imperative for our communities. We must ensure that every young person, regardless of their background, has the chance to develop the skills, confidence, and networks they need to thrive in the modern workforce.


In my own work, I have seen the transformative power of work experience firsthand. By creating more inclusive opportunities, we can help young people realise their full potential and, in turn, build a stronger, more resilient society.

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