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Compass Group UK & Ireland, the UK’s largest food and support services company, has launched its first Virtual Work Experience module, in partnership with Youth Employment UK, the national body for youth employment, unemployment, and employer-led skills development.

The new online programme has been designed to help young people in schools aged 14-18 years old, learn more about the breadth of career opportunities within Compass and the wider hospitality, foodservice, and support services sectors. As part of a barrierless industry, Compass is perfectly placed to support people into employment and offer development and training, which helps build confidence and opportunities.

Hosted on Youth Employment UK’s specialist platform, the module gives students an interactive, insightful introduction to the organisation. Through digital activities, employer insights, and real‑world scenarios - young people can explore its sectors and services, plus career opportunities and pathways, such as apprenticeships and early careers programmes.

The platform is initially being piloted with over 1,000 educators being given access. Compass will also use the platform to reach schools in ‘Left Behind', working in close partnership with Chartwells Schools, part of its Education sector. 

Compass and Youth Employment UK will utilise feedback from the pilot to further refine the user experience, in anticipation of a wider roll out in September. This second phase, will see Compass working closely with leading social mobility charity, Futures For All, to reach even more young people through remote learning opportunities.

This activity forms a key part of Compass’ ‘Classroom to Careers’ strategy - designed to give students early insights into a career in the sector and flagging the opportunity for people to do in person work experience as a next step.

This activity supports Compass’ wider commitment, to positively impact one million people by 2030 through its “Our Social Promise”. In particular its ‘Get In’ pillar – helping people to enter employment, with a particular focus on tackling socio‑economic disadvantage and helping individuals change their lives for the better.

Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE DL, CEO & Founder of Youth Employment UK, said: “We are very proud to have a long‑standing partnership with Compass Group UK & Ireland, having worked with them for over two years. We are excited to support their brand‑new Classroom to Careers programme, offering young people the opportunity to explore work with one of the UK’s largest employers.

The annual Youth Voice Census tells us time and time again that too many young people lack confidence in their skills and miss out on key work experience opportunities. Through this partnership, we’re raising aspirations, supporting important milestones, and showcasing what meaningful employer commitment in the food and support services sector can look like. By making these resources freely available for all young people and educators, we hope more young people will have the confidence to explore new opportunities as they take their next steps from the classroom to fulfilling careers.”

Jonathan Foot, Director of Skills and Early Careers at Compass Group UK & Ireland, added:
“We are excited to be working with Youth Employment UK on this project - offering young people the chance to explore work with us and learn about our wonderful industry. Supporting young people into meaningful work is something we care deeply about at Compass and this forms part of our new ‘Classroom to Careers’ strategy, which aims to further support young people who are looking to get onto the career ladder in hospitality. We hope students enjoy the module and gain valuable insight into our business and the opportunities within our sector.”