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Try it
A low-pressure taster session introduces a skill through something enjoyable and accessible.
Fun and engagement matter, but opportunity becomes more powerful when a young person can show what they learned, what they achieved and where it could take them next. Our ambition is to connect Youth Futures activities to meaningful skills, recognised training and clear progression routes.
Not every activity needs to lead immediately to a formal qualification. The model allows young people to build confidence and ability in stages.
A low-pressure taster session introduces a skill through something enjoyable and accessible.
Repeat sessions build practical capability, confidence, teamwork and interest.
Achievements can be recorded through digital badges, certificates, evidence of completion or recognised training where appropriate.
Young people can then connect to colleges, training providers, employers, work experience, apprenticeships or further qualifications.
The exact offer would grow with our delivery partners, awarding organisations and programme specialists.
Useful life skills with potential routes into recognised training.
Skills that can support independence and progression into hospitality.
Practical tasters that can build confidence before formal vocational training.
Recognise practical digital capability rather than limiting achievement to academic routes.
Use esports to evidence teamwork, organisation and communication.
Introduce industry skills while building confidence and professional behaviours.
Participation can create routes into coaching, leadership and wellbeing skills.
Showcase creative ability through a portfolio as well as formal recognition.
Make the transition from participation to the workplace easier and more visible.
We want a flexible framework that recognises progress appropriately while maintaining a clear distinction between Youth Futures achievements and externally accredited qualifications.
For participation, practical milestones and achievements delivered within our own programmes, young people could build a portfolio of verified digital badges and certificates.
Where appropriate, Youth Futures would aim to work with suitable accredited training providers and awarding organisations so selected programmes can lead to recognised certificates or qualifications.
Rather than trying to become an awarding body ourselves, the stronger model is to connect Youth Futures programmes with organisations already equipped to provide recognised training and progression.
Progression into vocational courses, tasters and recognised qualifications.
Delivery of regulated or recognised short courses where appropriate.
Industry-led workshops, skills verification, work experience and apprenticeships.
Sector guidance, recognised standards and links into industries.
Potential routes into formal certification through approved providers.
STEM, aspiration, mentoring and progression opportunities.
Recognised programmes in areas such as first aid, wellbeing or youth leadership.
Direct pathways from interest and practical experience into vocational careers.
The Career Passport could bring together activities, skills, badges, certificates, mentoring, employer encounters and progression achievements into a digital record young people can build over time.
Many young people develop useful skills outside traditional academic settings but struggle to show them to a college or employer. A Career Passport gives those experiences structure and visibility.
It could include verified participation, practical achievements, evidence such as projects or portfolios, recognised certificates where gained, employer encounters and personal progression milestones.
The aim is not to create another school report. It is to help a young person say: this is what I've tried, this is what I've learned, and this is what I want to do next.
We want to hear from colleges, training providers, employers, professional bodies and awarding organisations interested in creating practical progression routes for young people.
Discuss a skills partnership