News Item: The Power of Events Reaches 143,000 Young People Through Its Schools Engagement Programme
The 2025–2026 Schools Engagement Programme report reveals almost 500 school engagements, support from more than 300 industry ambassadors, and significant nationwide growth.
The Power of Events has published its 2025–2026 Schools Engagement Programme End of Year Report, marking another milestone in its mission to inspire future event professionals. The report highlights a year of continued growth, strengthened industry collaboration and expanding opportunities for young people to discover careers across the UK events industry.
During the academic year, the programme engaged more than 143,000 young people through activities delivered in schools across the UK. It now partners with more than 240 schools nationwide and is supported by a growing community of more than 300 volunteer industry ambassadors.
A further 150 schools are actively engaged with The Power of Events and are expected to join the programme during the 2026–2027 academic year, extending its reach and impact even further.
Delivered by event industry volunteers from across the UK events industry, the Schools Engagement Programme introduces young people to the breadth of career opportunities available across seven event sectors. It helps pupils understand how their interests and existing skills can translate into rewarding careers, while showcasing the different pathways into the industry through apprenticeships, vocational education, higher education, work experience and entry-level roles.
The programme now operates across nine regions of the UK, made possible through the annual support of more than 50 leading event businesses representing every sector of the industry. By sponsoring delivery within each of their local communities, these organisations enable schools to access the programme free of charge while helping to inspire future event professionals.
It highlights how The Power of Events is consistently aligning its work with the updated Gatsby Benchmarks, Provider Access Legislation and the Careers & Enterprise Company’s EqualEx Framework, helping schools deliver more meaningful employer encounters and supporting a more inclusive approach to careers education.
The report features contributions and statements from national and regional leaders, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham, reflecting both his current role and his 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.
Looking ahead, the report introduces the national rollout of the Experience of Work Programme, launching in autumn 2026. Successfully piloted during spring 2026, the programme represents the next stage of The Power of Events’ Future Events Professionals journey, giving groups of young people the opportunity to experience event businesses, venues and live environments through structured half-day and full-day workplace visits.
Participating organisations receive practical guidance, templates and support covering safeguarding, health and safety, school liaison and programme delivery, helping to remove many of the traditional barriers associated with hosting young people.
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.”
The full Schools Engagement Programme 2025–2026 End of Year Report is available here.
For further information or to discuss how your organisation can get involved, please contact hello@thepowerofevents.org.