Employer Standards

Whether you are already engaged with education outreach, or are new to engaging with schools and colleges and interested in understanding what good careers education outreach look like, our FREE Employer Standards self-assessment tool, and framework can help you.

The Employer Standards provide a clear framework to businesses of all shapes and sizes, to maximise the impact of employer engagement with young people, ensuring mutual value and long-term business success.

Employer Standards

A framework for meaningful engagement

The Employer Standards framework from the Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) is designed to help employers deliver high-quality, inclusive, and impactful experiences for young people. Whether you're offering work experience, mentoring, or workplace visits, this framework ensures your efforts are purposeful and aligned with national best practice. 

Why It Matters to Employers 

  • Shape Future Talent

    Help young people develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the workplace.

  • Support Your Community

    Build stronger links with local schools and colleges while contributing to social mobility.

  • Enhance Your Brand

    Demonstrate your commitment to youth development and responsible business practices.

What the Framework Offers

  • Clear Standards

    Guidance on what good looks like across different types of employer engagement.

  • Practical Tools

    Resources to help you plan, deliver, and evaluate your activities.

  • Alignment with Equalex

    Supports the Equalex framework’s learning outcomes and objectives, ensuring consistency across all workplace experiences.

How to Get Started

  • Use the Employer Standards self-assessment tool to benchmark your current activity.
  • Connect with the Central London Careers Hub for tailored support.
  • Explore the Equalex Employer Charter to commit to inclusive and high-impact engagement.
Get Started
CH Framework

How can Employer Standards benefit your business?  

Join over 1,000 employers who have already used the framework to identify and plan your work with schools, special schools, and colleges, and align this with your business objectives.

  • 95% of employers plan to take action based on their results
  • 33% are motivated to take action within a month of completing the assessment