Spending time at Windsor Castle for Blueprint for the Future: Skills, Careers, and Collaboration was an unforgettable experience. Surrounded by passionate and like-minded individuals, we explored the challenges and opportunities in preparing young people for the evolving world of work. But beyond the structured sessions, what struck me most were the deeper reflections on equity, access, and the real-world impact of careers education.

Key Reflections: What Must Change?

Throughout the event, one thing was clear: the current system does not serve all young people equally. Despite the best intentions, careers education and skills development remain inaccessible for many. If we are serious about preparing young people for the future, we need more than policy shifts we need action that puts young people at the centre of decision-making.

1. The Careers Gap Is About More Than Just Skills

A recurring theme was the disconnect between education and employment. But it’s not just about skills misalignment; it’s about who gets access to opportunities in the first place. Many young people don’t even get to the starting line because of systemic barriers geographical, social, and economic. Tackling these inequalities is as important as addressing skills shortages.

"Talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t. To create real parity, we must shift perceptions, engage employers meaningfully, and tackle regional disparities. Young people deserve support in every pathway, and employers must invest in the future workforce, not just hire from it."
- Rylie Sweeney

2. Work Experience Needs a Radical Rethink

The traditional work experience model is outdated. A few weeks of shadowing in an office doesn’t prepare young people for the modern job market. Instead, work-based learning should be ongoing, integrated into education, and adaptable offering meaningful exposure across different industries and career paths.

3. Employers Must Step Up… Not Just Support

Employers are often framed as supporters of careers education, but they need to be active participants. That means embedding skills development into recruitment pipelines, investing in young talent early, and ensuring their own hiring practices are accessible. The burden of preparation cannot fall solely on schools and students.

"To bridge the gap between education and employment, we must break down barriers for employers making it easier, not harder, for them to engage meaningfully with schools and shape the future workforce."
-Rylie Sweeney

My Contributions & Takeaways

I had the privilege of sharing my thoughts during a panel discussion on Day 1, where I focused on:

Ensuring equity in careers – Making sure opportunities are genuinely accessible to all, regardless of background.
Breaking down barriers for young people – Addressing the systemic challenges that hold them back.
The responsibility of employers – Engaging with and investing in the next generation in a meaningful way.

On Day 2, I was honoured to contribute to the closing session, where we explored what the future of careers and education could look like. We asked bold questions:

What would a truly equitable skills system look like?
How can we ensure careers education is co-designed with young people, not just for them?
What concrete steps can schools, employers, and policymakers take starting now?

Moving Forward: From Conversations to Action

One of the biggest takeaways for me is that conversations alone aren’t enough. It’s easy to talk about change, but how do we turn dialogue into tangible action? Leaving Windsor, I feel even more determined to push for solutions that put young people at the heart of careers education and skills development.

As I reflect on these discussions, I’m reminded that careers education isn’t just about preparing young people for jobs it’s about giving them agency, opportunity, and the power to shape their own futures.

The Blueprint for the Future event reinforced that the path ahead isn’t just about adapting to change; it’s about driving it. And that starts now.

Blueprint for the Future: Careers, Skills & Collaboration – Reflections on Windsor