This year The Inspirational Learning Group has been working closely with Three Spires Trust to support the implementation of the equalex framework for modern work experience.
The equalex framework, developed by The Careers and Enterprise Company, provides a solution for the Government’s new guarantee of two weeks’ worth of work experience for every young person: one week’s provision in KS3 and one week’s provision in KS4. This includes multiple opportunities and touch points to ensure they fully understand future career opportunities, progression routes and the key skills employers look for.
The equalex framework was piloted in 2024/25 across 5 multi-academy trusts, including Three Spires Trust. These trusts were asked to use their existing curriculum models to test how equalex could be delivered.
Three Spires worked closely with The Inspirational Learning Group to map their innovative ‘Next Gen’ curriculum to the National Careers Challenge and online learning content available on LightbulbOnline. This identified opportunities for cross-curricular careers learning and employer-led challenge days that could be delivered within a school setting to entire year groups.
Over the past 12 months, The Inspirational Learning Group has delivered numerous employer and workplace-encounters with Three Spires Trust, connecting the school with local and national employers, business owners and apprentices who have shared their own career journeys to inspire students, challenge stereotypes and raise aspirations
With the support of our expert facilitators, these employers worked with students on a broad spectrum of employer-posed tasks and challenges, from investing £10,000 in imaginary stocks and shares to identifying the cause of a cryptosporidium outbreak!
Feedback gathered from more than 450 year 8 students who participated in our Local Labour Market Taster Days highlighted the impact of these activities.
88% of students agreed that the workshops helped them identify links between their school subjects and future career opportunities.
95% of students agreed that the workshops gave them a greater awareness of employers and careers opportunities in their local area and the different routes into these careers.
92% of students agreed that by completing these workshops, they were now able to demonstrate a range of skills linked to different career paths.
Lightbulb Online provides schools with access to more than 180 hours of employer-led learning content, featuring interviews with more than 130 employees. Why not see how Lightbulb Online can support YOUR school in delivering school-based work experience and employer encounters?