Innovative, interactive careers programmes

We create unique programmes that connect young people to opportunity, and support students to improve their careers outcomes. Our programmes prioritise young people who face barriers or are under-represented within the workforce, building their aspirations, skills, and careers knowledge, and connecting them to employers. 

Collaborative Programmes Enquire Now

Tailored careers experiences

Operating nationally, we support young people from Year 5 through to undergraduate level. Our work strives to support the future talent pipeline, ensuring every individual is inspired about their education, training, and career destinations.

We take a design-led approach to developing engaging activities for young people and work collaboratively across sectors and regions, bringing together a variety of knowledge and skills. Drawing on considerable expertise, our activities are designed to link curriculum to careers.

We are experts in delivering meaningful careers activity, that supports young people to grow and develop.

How our work meets the Gatsby Benchmarks

Supporting careers guidance

The Good Careers Guidance Report defines the key features of a successful careers programme known as the Gatsby Benchmarks, and the government’s careers strategy requires all schools to implement these benchmarks. Our programmes can help you to achieve this.

Through tailored, long-term programmes with multiple interventions, we support you to provide good quality careers education and immersive experiences that can form part of your careers guidance.

Benchmark 1

A stable careers programme

Carefully designed, targeted, and measured, our programmes offer insight into a wide variety of careers and industries. Our longer-term programmes offer progressive activities throughout students’ education journey, offering multiple interventions which can enhance your careers provision.

Benchmark 2

Learning from career & labour market information

Providing quality information about future education and employment opportunities, we embed labour market information within our programmes, supporting young people to make informed decisions about their future.

Benchmark 3

Addressing the needs of each pupil

We strive to make our programmes inclusive and accessible for all students by adapting and tailoring our approach. We work with a diverse range of employers and employees to offer opportunities for tailored advice and support, helping to actively challenge stereotypical thinking and raise aspirations for future careers.

Benchmark 5

Encounters with employers and employees

Working closely with partner schools and employers, all our programmes are supported by our employer network, meaning young people have the opportunity for meaningful encounters with employers to learn about work, employment, and skills that are valued in the workplace.

Benchmark 6

Experiences of the workplace

Through workplace visits, mentoring, and work experience programmes, our programmes offer opportunities for young people to gain first-hand experience of the workplace, helping young people to explore career opportunities and expand their network.

Benchmark 8

Personal guidance

We understand that every learner should have opportunities for personal guidance with a qualified careers advisor. Our programmes compliment this, helping to prepare young people with a better understanding of the world of work to make informed decisions around their future education and careers choices.

From bespoke activities to collaborative programmes, our work is tailored to create a positive lasting impact on young people.

Get involved

Activities vary according to local need and target group, but may include:

01. Live brief and innovation challenges
02. Work experience programmes
03. Workplace visits
04. Mentoring programmes
05. Employability skills preparation
06. Motivational speakers
07. Youth consultation opportunities
08. Speed networking
09. Careers panels

View our collaborative programmes

Our students were buzzing on the bus back to school – they had a really good day and were extremely positive about this valuable experience. In fact, many were taken aback with the use of technology at such a practical level.

The experience has definitely opened their eyes and got them thinking about their futures – what type of skills and jobs could be available to them and, just as importantly, how to get there from where they are now in their lives.

They are at a young age so many will only think of practical jobs such as nurse or teacher.

this experience has instead enabled them to see what the people inside these businesses do and realise these are careers, too, in sectors and industries they wouldn’t know exist which is exciting.

Teacher, Year 9

Benefits of working with us

Our work is funded by our employers, meaning there is no cost at all for schools to take part in our activities and programmes.
Our experienced facilitators plan and deliver each of our activities, making it a hassle-free experience.
We offer opportunities for sustained engagement in programmes, supporting your students throughout their education journey, directly into a destination.
Established in 2004, Ahead Partnership is a reputable provider of careers education programmes, helping young people to achieve their aspirations, develop employability skills and improve their careers knowledge.

How it works

There are lots of opportunities to get involved in our programmes. We work closely with both educators and employer partners to develop innovative and engaging programmes that excite young people while meeting their careers guidance needs.

1. Welcome on board!

Once you are onboarded as one of our education partners, you will receive a welcome pack, as well as our terms and conditions, including our safeguarding protocol.

2. Delivery

Your Ahead Partnership project team will take care of the planning and delivery to make it a hassle-free experience. We will arrange a short planning meeting with you to ensure we have the necessary information to accommodate your pupils.

Following this, we will keep you updated on progress so all you have to do is prepare your students and attend the sessions.

3. Impact

We carefully evaluate our programmes to ensure all our activities meet the needs of our partner schools. We will also provide your pupils with resources so that they can evidence their participation and the skills and knowledge they have developed thorough taking part in our programmes.

4. Ongoing partnership

There may be opportunities for collaboration on an ongoing basis with Ahead Partnership and our partners. A member of our team will be in touch regarding future opportunities.

We ask that you:

Make space for our activities into your school timetable, to ensure your pupils have the opportunity to participate.
Work with us to plan an outstanding experience for your pupils. Timely responses will help our team to organise the best possible careers activities.

Support us to complete our photo consent process, so we can capture inspiring moments.
Encourage students to actively engage in our activities, so they can make the most of the experience.