The Power of Events has launched a national programme aimed at giving 1,500 young people first-hand experience of the UK events industry in its first year.
The Experience of Work Programme was officially launched at the Business Design Centre on Thursday 15 October, with around half of the target already pledged by industry associations ahead of the launch.
PLASA, PSA, AEV, mia, ABPCO, HAE and the Purple Guide are among those backing the initiative, which is now calling on businesses across the sector to host their own experiences during 2027.
The programme is the second stage of The Power of Events’ Future Event Professionals mission, designed to introduce young people to the range of careers available across the industry.
Rather than individual work experience placements, the model involves organisations hosting groups of young people from local schools for structured half-day or full-day experiences. These could include going behind the scenes at a venue, visiting a production warehouse, meeting an agency team or seeing an event being built.
The aim is to help young people understand the technical, creative and operational roles involved in delivering live events, and how their own interests and skills could translate into a career in the sector.
Pilots shape national rollout
The national launch follows pilot experiences with organisations including The O2, PLASA, THE•TEAM and QEII Centre, which helped test the programme across different parts of the industry.
The Power of Events has developed a toolkit to help businesses deliver their own experiences, including step-by-step guidance, planning templates, example activities and advice on safeguarding, health and safety and accessibility.
It also provides support with school liaison and programme delivery, alongside a framework for gathering feedback and measuring impact. The model is designed to align with Equalex, Modern Work Experience and Gatsby Benchmarks.
Rick Stainton, CEO of The Power of Events, said: “We’ve spent the past year working with industry and schools to build and test a model that can work in the real world. Now we’re ready to take it nationwide.
“To have around half of our first-year ambition already pledged before launch shows the appetite across our industry to make a difference. But 1,500 opportunities will only happen through collective action. We now want businesses from every part of the events industry to think about what they could offer, open their doors and help a young person see a career they may never have known existed.”
Industry urged to get involved
With approximately 750 opportunities already pledged, The Power of Events is asking businesses from across the events industry to consider what they could offer young people in 2027.
The launch was supported by the Business Design Centre as venue partner, Neg Earth Lights as event sponsor, RefTech as registration partner, WeIMPLEMENT as event hosting partner, The Good Eating Company as catering sponsor and Max Event Photography.
Businesses interested in hosting an Experience of Work or supporting the programme can contact Sophie Beasor, head of operations and engagement at The Power of Events, at [email protected].
