Voice, opportunities and futures
Are young people being heard, and are they getting what they need to build a future?
How much do people in power listen?
1 = not at all, 5 = a lot
- 1 / 512%
- 2 / 533%
- 3 / 519%
- 4 / 59%
- 5 / 527%
How easy is it to find relevant opportunities?
1 = really hard, 5 = really easy
- 1 / 510%
- 2 / 525%
- 3 / 528%
- 4 / 58%
- 5 / 529%
How they hear about opportunities
- Social media48%
- Google / web searches26%
- Apps or event websites21%
- Friends21%
- WhatsApp or group chats20%
- School, college or university19%
- Posters or flyers17%
- Council or borough websites15%
Most useful for jobs and careers
- Finding paid part-time or entry-level jobs30%
- Work experience27%
- Meeting people who actually work in industries I’m interested in25%
- Qualifications and certificates25%
- Practical skills employers actually want25%
- CV, application and interview support24%
- Paid youth leadership or advisory opportunities23%
- Mentors or role models17%
Education and support
Under-19 questions only: 41 in the selected group. Each row excludes unsure / not applicable answers.
What this means: These answers describe under-19 education experiences only. Missing older-age answers are not disagreement; 19–25s were asked a separate set of questions about London and careers support.
What schools and colleges should do MORE of
- Practical life skills like money, housing and cooking56%
- Work experience46%
- Social activities and chances to make friends37%
- Help catching up when you fall behind27%
- Digital, media and technology skills24%
- Entrepreneurship and starting your own thing20%
- Careers advice17%
- Learning about politics, society and current issues17%
What under-19s would change about school or college
Under-19s want school to prepare them for life beyond exams. They ask for money management, career advice, work experience, networking and public speaking. Some want less emphasis on academic results so there is time for these experiences, as well as more choice over what they learn.
They also want school to feel more supportive: teachers who believe in them, teaching that suits different learning styles, more independence and fewer controlling rules. Mental health support, action on bullying and manageable workloads come up alongside creative activities and chances to meet different peers.
28 written answers
How these themes were counted
Themes use explicit words, not a full manual interpretation. Each answer counts once per theme and may appear in several, so totals can exceed 100%. Unmatched answers remain in All answers. These counts describe this question's written responses, not all survey respondents. Read the quotes to judge the context.
I’d change how much schools focus on academic results. This time could be used towards work experience, networking, public speaking
Teachers need to believe in kids more. I did a lot better than I was predicted in my gcses and my a levels, like i told my teachers I would.
I’m not sure sorry
We need to learn more practical skills for adulthood eg money management
The funding to perform the requests of students
Provide more information about careers and practical life skills.
Careers and employment support for 19–25s
This question was only asked of older respondents.
What adults and organisations aren't getting right
Young people want a realistic way into paid work: beginner jobs without experience requirements, work placements, help with applications and interviews, and contact with people in different industries. Paid opportunities matter alongside volunteering. They also ask for practical guidance on tax, saving and budgeting, cheaper transport and help with housing.
They want affordable places to meet, quiet spaces, youth clubs, creative activities and accessible mental health support. Having a say means influencing decisions, rather than being asked for opinions that go nowhere. Several answers ask adults to be less patronising and to offer help that fits their circumstances.
76 written answers
How these themes were counted
Themes use explicit words, not a full manual interpretation. Each answer counts once per theme and may appear in several, so totals can exceed 100%. Unmatched answers remain in All answers. These counts describe this question's written responses, not all survey respondents. Read the quotes to judge the context.
Support in jobs
Affordable things to do Financial education like tax, saving, budgeting Career exposure earlier - showing young people the huge range of careers that aren’t spoken about.
We need more opportunities for young people to gain skills that prepare them for their first job. Most places prefer people with experience, so it’s really hard to break into anything.
Actual paid work. I do a lot of volunteering but st the end of the day I need money.
They don’t give people that done have work experience a chance but if you don’t work you can’t get experience in the first place.
Work experience decisions because I feel like after sixth form life is just confusing