Children in Hammersmith and Fulham will start learning about jobs and careers from the age of three, under plans backed by the council for the next phase of its youth employment scheme.
More than 3,000 young people took part in the Pathway Bond in its first year. The next phase will turn it into a careers programme running from early years to 18, with play-based learning for the youngest children and parents and carers involved from the start. The aim is to further boost skills and career opportunities for young people across the borough.
The Pathway Bond, launched in October 2025, connects schools, employers, universities and community organisations so local young people can access and benefit from career and job opportunities in the borough’s growing economy, particularly in life sciences, healthcare, technology, construction and the creative industries.
The young people who took part were aged 4 to 18, and 125 employers participated or pledged support. A total of 265 work experience opportunities were completed, and around one in six state school pupils in the borough experienced a Pathway Bond activity.
The council’s Economy and Social Advancement Policy and Accountability Committee reviewed the programme’s first year at a meeting on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, and endorsed its future development.
The committee also discussed how success in the next phase will be measured. The measures include a published year-group offer, more businesses taking part, and growth in the quality and volume of work experience. Improved pathways for priority groups, clear statements of what participation means for all stakeholders, and tracking of unique participants beyond July 2027 will also define success, alongside progression and equalities data and the long-term destinations of participants.
Key learnings from the initial phase highlighted a high demand for opportunities in sectors such as media, creative industries, and legal and professional services, indicating a need to expand employer engagement in these areas. To address this, a structured Business Engagement Model will be developed, featuring an employer commitment framework and a recognition system. An annual business networking event will be held, and the council will leverage its convening power, exploring social value in procurement contracts to encourage participation. The programme also aims to create additional opportunities in legal and professional services and promote alternative pathways into these fields, with the council exploring how to involve borough residents working in these professions.
The importance of building strong, long-term relationships with employers was also emphasised, moving beyond transactional arrangements to foster talent pipelines and upskilling opportunities for existing employees. The employer talent network will allow businesses to shape the Pathway Bond offer and foster collaboration on talent pipelines.
The proposed next phase aims to evolve the Pathway Bond into a structured, age-based careers and aspirations programme spanning from early years to age 18. This will involve a cumulative journey with age-appropriate interventions, tailored pathways from Key Stage 4, and a core focus on employability skills, utilising a national Employability Skills Framework. Early Years and KS1 (ages 3-6) interventions will use play-based learning to spark curiosity about jobs and involve parents/carers. Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11) will focus on broad awareness and curiosity through expanded Primary Futures and STEM clubs. Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14) will concentrate on exploring careers before key decisions, including parent/carer engagement, with sector awareness sessions and STEM Safari. Key Stage 5 (ages 16-19) will offer apprenticeship support and CV/LinkedIn clinics.
Show the data
| Year group | Participation 2025/26 |
|---|---|
| Key Stage 1 (Years 1-2) | 417 |
| Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6) | 1,289 |
| Year 7 | 31 |
| Year 8 | 157 |
Emphasis will be placed on ensuring universal access while providing targeted support for priority groups, including SEND learners, care leavers, and young people at risk of becoming NEET. Specific support for SEND learners will be provided from Key Stage 4 onwards. The programme also plans to develop a young people's network, an employer talent network, and a schools network to sustain its long-term impact. Alumni from the young people's network will serve as ambassadors and mentors, while the schools network will coordinate the annual calendar of opportunities and ensure the offer aligns with the curriculum and statutory requirements.
During the meeting, councillors praised the initiative for its potential to foster social mobility and provide crucial opportunities for young people. They discussed strategies for increasing employer participation, ensuring equitable access for all students, and developing robust methods for tracking progress and impact. The meeting information did not specify a projected budget for the next phase, but long-term sustainability will involve a mixed resourcing model including council investment, employer contributions, sponsorship, in-kind partner support, and external funding.
