Bristol WORKS Pledge
We, the employers pledge to actively champion young people in reaching their full potential, especially those from disadvantaged and underrepresented communities.
We commit to providing equitable access to meaningful career experiences and real-world insights that broaden horizons and raise aspirations. Through in-school experiences, in-work visits and high-quality work experience, we will help break down barriers to opportunity and equip young people with the knowledge, confidence, and networks they need to take their next steps beyond school.
Call to Action
Join our pledge and work with us in taking intentional action to ensure all young people can thrive, no matter their background.
What is the Bristol Works Pledge?
The Bristol WORKS Employer Pledge is a commitment by organisations to actively support young people in reaching their full potential.
By making a pledge, your organisation agrees to help provide equitable access to meaningful career experiences and real-world insights for young people across Bristol, particularly those from disadvantaged or underrepresented communities.
Through activities such as in-school sessions, workplace visits, and high-quality work experience placements, employers help broaden horizons, raise aspirations, and support young people as they prepare for the future.
What Your Organisation Is Committing To
By joining the pledge, employers commit to taking deliberate and measurable action to engage meaningfully with students aged 11–16, especially those who need it the most, with real world engagement and experiences to raise knowledge, confidence and belief in their potential.This may include:
Your involvement helps break down barriers to opportunity and enables young people to better understand the pathways available to them after school.
Making a Difference
What young people in Bristol has to say:
“Before I had no idea, now I am thinking maybe engineering, maybe apprenticeship. I am excited for Year 11 because there will be more people coming in to find out more about more jobs so by the end of year 11 maybe I will have one job I want to do.”
“Yes, when I really enjoy the sessions I talk to my family. My dad is mechanic so I know a bit about how this work and what parts you need. But I want to do something different – something that is not too easy and I have to work for, but also not so hard that I can’t do it.”
The Benefits of Joining our Pledge
Flexible Ways to Participate
The pledge is designed to be flexible so organisations of all sizes can take part.
Some employers may choose to deliver a single activity each year, while others may offer multiple opportunities such as work placements, workshops, or ongoing engagement with schools.
The Bristol WORKS team works with each organisation to identify the most appropriate and impactful way to get involved.
What We Offer Employers
When you join the Bristol WORKS Employer Pledge, you will be supported by the Bristol WORKS team to design meaningful and impactful engagement with young people.
Employer Guidance and Workshops
Employer Managers provide bespoke workshops and guidance to help organisations understand how best to engage with young people. Topics may include:
- Understanding the local context and the importance of early employer engagement
- Engaging effectively with diverse young people facing multiple barriers
- Planning and delivering high-quality work experience placements
- Designing meaningful experiences of work for students
Employers are also introduced to national careers frameworks such as the Equalex Framework and the Gatsby Benchmarks, which shape careers education in schools.
Networking and Collaboration Opportunities
Employers who join the pledge can connect with other organisations, schools, and partners across the city.
Bristol WORKS hosts employer events where organisations can share experiences, collaborate, and celebrate their contributions to supporting young people.
Practical Tools and Ongoing Support
Employers receive practical resources and ongoing support to help deliver high-quality engagement activities, including:
- Templates and planning guides
- Checklists for delivering activities and placements
- Regular updates about opportunities to engage with schools across Bristol
Work Experience (WEX) Support
The Bristol WORKS team helps coordinate work experience placements by:
- Matching suitable students with employers
- Promoting opportunities to schools across the region
- Providing guidance and resources to support employers throughout the placement process.
Impact Measurement and evaluation
The Bristol WORKS team helps measure and evaluate impact by:
- completing post-delivery evaluation after each session to evaluate and improve future delivery.
- checking in annually with Employer Managers to set goals and review progress against them.
Additional Opportunities
- Vacancies shared through our Post-16 Team Coaches
- Opportunities featured in weekly Skills Connect newsletter
Safeguarding and Logistics
Bristol WORKS works closely with schools and employers to ensure that all engagement activities are safe, well organised, and beneficial for young people.
Join Our Growing Network of Employers
Employers across Bristol are already working with Bristol WORKS to inspire the next generation.
From global organisations to local businesses, these partners play a vital role in helping young people explore careers, develop confidence, and gain insight into the workplace.
By joining the Bristol WORKS Employer Pledge, your organisation becomes part of a city-wide effort to support young people and strengthen Bristol’s future workforce.
Make Your Pledge
By joining the Bristol WORKS Employer Pledge, you will help raise aspirations, expand opportunities, and support students as they take their first steps towards future careers.
At the same time, your organisation will strengthen its connections with the local community, contribute to social mobility, and engage with the future workforce.
Your organisation can make a real difference to young people across Bristol.
Complete the enrolment form below or get in touch if you need more information.
The Pledge
We, [the employer] pledge to actively champion young people in reaching their full potential – especially those from disadvantaged and underrepresented communities.
We commit to providing equitable access to meaningful career experiences and real-world insights that broaden horizons and raise aspirations.
Through in-school experiences, in-work visits and high-quality work experience, we will help break down barriers to opportunity and equip young people with the knowledge, confidence, and networks they need to take their next steps beyond school.
If you are still unsure about making your Pledge and would like to talk it through, simply complete our contact us form. WORKS will be in touch to talk you through the options and how we can work together. You can learn more about the types of experiences of work on our ‘for employers‘ page.