Max SteventonThe Power of Events has published its 2025-2026 Schools Engagement Programme End of Year Report. In the report, the not-for-profit reveals that it engaged more than 143,000 young people through school activities across the UK over the course of the academic year.
The engagement programme is now partnered with more than 240 schools nationwide, and is supported by over 300 volunteer industry ambassadors. A further 150 schools are expected to join during the 2026-2027 academic year. With help from the volunteers, the programme is designed to introduce young people to career opportunities across seven event sectors. It covers the various routes to landing roles in these sectors, such as apprenticeships, vocational education, higher education, work experience and entry-level roles.
The programme now operates across nine regions of the UK, supported by more than 50 event businesses that sponsor delivery in their local communities. Schools may access it free of charge.
The report also aligns the programme’s work with the updated Gatsby Benchmarks, Provider Access Legislation and the Careers & Enterprise Company’s EqualEx Framework, and features contributions from prime minister Andy Burnham, education secretary Lucy Powell, mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram, and Justine Simons OBE, deputy mayor of London for culture and the creative industries.
A new Experience of Work Programme launching this autumn
Looking ahead, the report introduces the national rollout of the Experience of Work Programme, which is set to launch in autumn 2026 (following a successful pilot in spring 2026).
This new programme will give groups of young people the chance to experience event businesses, venues and live environments through half-day and full-day workplace visits. Those organisations that participate will receive guidance on certain key areas like safeguarding, health and safety and school liaison.
Sophie Beasor, schools engagement programme lead at The Power of Events, said: “The most powerful part of this programme is the collective effort behind it. With the amazing sponsors’ support across all regions and over 300 ambassadors stepping forward to share their knowledge, experiences and passion, they collectively are helping young people across the country see the events industry as somewhere they can belong and build a future.”