In a strong show of advocacy for students and future job-seekers, Julie Edge MHK, then Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, delivered a stark warning in Tynwald about the decline in work experience placements since the COVID-19 pandemic—highlighting a critical gap in young people’s access to real-world career opportunities.
“This is not just a numbers issue,” Edge said. “It’s about making sure every young person has a pathway into the workforce that’s relevant, inspiring, and tailored to their potential.”
A Post-Pandemic Challenge
Edge confirmed to members that while work experience had returned to many schools, not all Year 10 and 11 students were able to access placements in 2023, due in part to lasting business disruptions, staffing shortages, and capacity issues among host employers following the pandemic.
She pointed to a marked drop in available placements compared to pre-COVID levels, raising concerns about how these lost opportunities could affect pupils’ confidence, skill development, and long-term employability.
A Minister on a Mission
True to her proactive approach, Edge outlined her department’s plans to address the gap:
- Rebuilding partnerships with local employers, industry groups, and the third sector
- Creating bespoke placements for students with special interests, learning needs, or alternative pathways
- Exploring hybrid options, including virtual work experience and project-based learning
Edge also emphasised the importance of starting the conversation earlier in the school journey—by Year 8 or 9—to ensure pupils are better prepared to engage in meaningful, skill-aligned placements.
“We need to evolve,” she said. “Work experience isn’t a one-size-fits-all model anymore. It should be personalised, purposeful, and inclusive.”
Building Future Readiness
Edge’s intervention reflected her broader commitment to preparing students not just for exams, but for life. Her focus on career readiness, employer engagement, and student agency has shaped several other initiatives, including apprenticeship promotion, youth enterprise events, and curriculum reform.
As Julie Edge told Tynwald, the solution isn’t simply to “restore what we had”—but to build something better:
“Let’s use this moment to modernise work experience across the island—to ensure it reflects the world we’re preparing our students for.”
Date: 28 July 2023
Location: Tynwald Court, Isle of Man
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