The National Careers Challenge
The National Careers Challenge isn’t just another school competition.
It’s the UK’s largest careers and enterprise experience, where thousands of students take on employer-led challenges, build real skills, and gain insight into the world of work.
Across the year, they develop ideas, solve problems, and work as teams on challenges created with leading employers and delivered by the team at The Inspirational Learning Group, all leading to our Grand Final. Students come together to present, meet employers, and show the talent and potential they’ve built along the way.
From the classroom to a national stage 
It starts in the classroom, with students taking on a live, employer-led challenge as a team.
From there, the strongest teams progress through the year, building towards the Grand Final.
That’s where it all comes together. Schools from across the UK, one stage, and the chance to show what they’re capable of.
Say hello, to the National Careers Challenge sponsors
Each sponsor is paired with a year group, with challenges delivered to classes or full year groups in schools.
Built with employers around real-world problems, these challenges give students a clear insight into different industries and the skills employers are actively looking for.
AirProducts
Year 7
AirProducts
Year 7
Air Products is committed to generating a cleaner future for our world. To achieve net-zero the world needs sustainable solutions across all aspects of our daily lives, from how we produce goods, to how we heat our homes and how we travel to school and work. We want you to consider how this could be achieved in a sustainable Town of the Future.
British Airways
Year 8
British Airways
Year 8
Teams will explore the exciting world of international travel to create a new subsidiary airline for British Airways that will sit alongside their CityFlyer and EuroFlyer brands.
NatWest Thrive
Year 9
NatWest Thrive
Year 9
In this challenge teams are asked to develop a business idea that takes inspiration from history and heritage of their local area. Having developed an idea for a business concept, students must then consider how they would scale up their business to operate nationally or globally!
Gymshark
Year 10
Gymshark
Year 10
Sportswear has a significant environmental impact, from emissions to microplastic pollution. Students are challenged to create a campaign and product ideas that help Gymshark encourage more sustainable choices among gym users
Other challenges
The Oli Leigh Trust
The Oli Leigh Trust
This challenge encourages students to think differently about mental health, turning real experiences into positive action. Through teamwork and problem solving, they’ll create ideas that support wellbeing and learn how small changes can have a big impact.
The value 
of working with us
We bring schools and employers together in a way that genuinely works.
Through employer-led challenges, students build real skills, gain insight into different industries, and develop confidence in their future pathways. For employers, it’s a direct way to engage with young people, support careers education, and build early awareness of their organisation.
For schools
Give students meaningful careers experiences that go beyond theory. Our programmes are aligned to national frameworks and designed to build confidence, skills, and real understanding of the world of work.
For employers
Connect with the next generation in a practical and engaging way. Share insight into your industry, support skills development, and build awareness of your organisation with future talent.
For students
Develop skills that matter. Work in teams, solve real problems, and gain confidence presenting ideas in a supportive but challenging environment.
A proven approach
Over 750,000 students engaged across the UK, with programmes that consistently deliver high-quality experiences connecting education and industry.
accelerate. collaborate.
empower.
We combine experience, employer insight and a genuine passion for what we do to help schools and employers deliver careers education that prepares students for the real world.
THE FINALS
The National Careers Challenge builds throughout the year, with the strongest teams earning their place at the Grand Final.
From how it starts in schools to what happens on the day, here’s how the Finals experience comes together.
Book a challenge day that works for your school
Choose an in person or virtual National Careers Challenge delivery for your year group. Each challenge is built with leading employers and designed to fit within the school day
A live challenge experience for students
On the day, students work in teams on a real-world brief shaped by employer insight. They develop ideas, collaborate, problem-solve and build confidence as they work towards a final solution.
School winners progress to the next stage
Winning teams are selected and given the opportunity to take their ideas further, recognising strong teamwork, creativity and communication.
The TNCC Finals
Finalist teams take part in an unforgettable national event, presenting their ideas to industry judges, meeting leading employers and experiencing the excitement of being on a national stage while celebrating everything they’ve achieved.
From the people who matter most
Connecting students, schools, and employers through innovative programmes designed to inspire and prepare the next generation for the world of work.