The Power of Events has published its 2025–2026 Schools Engagement Programme End of Year Report, highlighting major growth in its efforts to introduce young people across the UK to careers in the events industry.
The 2025–2026 academic year has marked another significant milestone for The Power of Events Schools Engagement Programme, with almost 500 schools engaged and more than 143,000 young people reached through careers-focused activities across the UK.
The programme, which aims to inspire the next generation of event professionals, has expanded its network to more than 240 partner schools nationwide and is supported by a community of more than 300 volunteer industry ambassadors.
A further 150 schools are currently engaged with The Power of Events and are expected to formally join the programme during the 2026–2027 academic year, further strengthening its national reach.
More Than 143,000 Young People Reached
During the 2025–2026 academic year, the Schools Engagement Programme delivered activities to more than 143,000 young people across schools throughout the UK.
The initiative introduces students to the wide range of career opportunities available within the events industry, helping them understand how their existing interests, talents and skills can translate into professional opportunities.
From event production and venue management to marketing, technology, hospitality and creative roles, the programme showcases career possibilities across seven event sectors.
It also highlights different routes into the industry, including apprenticeships, vocational education, higher education, work experience and entry-level employment.
More Than 300 Industry Ambassadors Supporting Schools
A key strength of the programme is its network of more than 300 volunteer industry ambassadors.
These professionals bring first-hand experience of working in the UK events industry directly into schools, giving students an opportunity to learn about real careers from people working within the sector.
Their involvement also helps young people gain a better understanding of the skills, qualifications and experiences that can support a career in events.
Sophie Beasor, Schools Engagement Programme Lead at The Power of Events, said:
“The most powerful part of this programme is the collective effort behind it. With the amazing sponsors’ support across all regions and over 300 ambassadors stepping forward to share their knowledge, experiences and passion, they collectively are helping young people across the country see the events industry as somewhere they can belong and build a future.”
Programme Expands Across Nine UK Regions
The Schools Engagement Programme now operates across nine regions of the UK.
Its regional expansion has been supported by more than 50 leading event businesses representing different parts of the events industry. Through annual sponsorship and local support, these organisations help make the programme available to schools free of charge.
The regional model enables businesses to play a direct role in developing future talent within their local communities while helping students discover career opportunities that they may not otherwise encounter.
Supporting Careers Education in Schools
The Power of Events has also aligned the programme with important developments in careers education, including the updated Gatsby Benchmarks, Provider Access Legislation and the Careers & Enterprise Company’s EqualEx Framework.
This approach is designed to help schools provide meaningful employer encounters while encouraging a more inclusive approach to careers education.
By connecting students with professionals and businesses, the programme aims to make careers in the events industry more visible and accessible to young people from different backgrounds.
Support From UK Leaders
The 2025–2026 End of Year Report includes contributions from national and regional leaders, reflecting the growing importance of careers education and the creative industries.
Contributors include Prime Minister Andy Burnham, drawing on his current role and previous work as Mayor of Greater Manchester; Education Secretary Lucy Powell; Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram; and Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Culture and the Creative Industries.
Their contributions underline the importance of connecting education with employers and creating clearer pathways for young people into the UK’s diverse creative and events sectors.
Experience of Work Programme to Launch in Autumn 2026
Looking ahead, The Power of Events is preparing to launch its Experience of Work Programme nationally in autumn 2026.
The initiative was successfully piloted during spring 2026 and represents the next stage of the organisation’s Future Events Professionals journey.
The programme will give groups of young people the opportunity to visit event businesses, venues and live event environments through structured half-day and full-day workplace experiences.
These visits are intended to give students a practical understanding of what it is like to work in the events industry and help them connect classroom learning with real-world career opportunities.
Helping Event Businesses Host Young People
The Experience of Work Programme will also provide participating organisations with practical resources and guidance.
Support will cover areas including safeguarding, health and safety, school liaison and programme delivery. By providing templates and established processes, The Power of Events aims to remove some of the traditional barriers that businesses may face when offering workplace experiences to young people.
The national rollout could create further opportunities for event businesses to participate directly in developing the industry’s future workforce.
Building the Next Generation of Event Professionals
The continued growth of the The Power of Events Schools Engagement Programme demonstrates the increasing focus on introducing young people to careers in the events industry at an early stage.
With more than 143,000 young people reached during 2025–2026, more than 240 schools already partnering with the programme and over 300 industry ambassadors involved, the initiative has established a growing national network connecting education with the UK events sector.
With another 150 schools expected to join during 2026–2027 and the Experience of Work Programme launching nationally in autumn 2026, The Power of Events is expanding its efforts to create clearer pathways between schools, employers and future event professionals.
The latest report highlights how collaboration between schools, industry professionals, sponsors and policymakers can help young people discover the opportunities available within one of the UK’s most diverse and dynamic industries.
