Opening Doors to Opportunity: Why We Support the Work Experience (Schools) Bill

The Traveller Movement is proud to support the Work Experience (Schools) Bill, currently progressing through Parliament. In a letter to Rt Hon David Pinto-Duschinsky MP, we welcomed the Bill’s ambition to ensure that all young people can benefit from meaningful work experience during their education.

For Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller young people, this matters. These communities continue to experience some of the most significant educational inequalities in England, with poorer attainment, lower progression rates and disproportionately high levels of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). Research also shows a significant drop in participation as pupils move from primary to secondary education, making early engagement and aspiration-building especially important.

Work experience can play a vital role in addressing these challenges. It helps young people develop confidence, practical skills and professional networks, while demonstrating the relevance of education to future careers. This is particularly important for communities with strong traditions of entrepreneurship, self-employment and family businesses, where practical learning and workplace experience are often highly valued.

The Bill also offers an opportunity to strengthen understanding and inclusion. Well-designed, accessible work experience programmes can challenge stereotypes, broaden horizons and create stronger connections between employers, schools and communities.

As Parliament considers this important legislation, we urge MPs, schools and employers to back a vision of education that prepares every young person for the future. The Work Experience (Schools) Bill is a practical and positive step towards greater opportunity and social mobility. By helping young people connect learning with real-world opportunities, it has the potential to transform aspirations and outcomes for some of the most disadvantaged communities in the country.

The Traveller Movement is proud to support the Bill and looks forward to seeing it become a catalyst for lasting change.