As the number of workers in payrolled employment continues to drop, one of the UK’s leading HR and recruitment specialists, Gi Group, is partnering with an East Midlands multi-academy trust to deliver careers advice and training created expressly for the working world of the future, where AI and tech are baked in to the workforce. Through 1-2-1 interviews, speed round networking and CV support, the Gi Group team are supporting children across the Trust’s network to prepare them for the rapidly evolving world of work after school.
Early estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest the number of workers in payrolled employment slipped by 11,000 between February and March 2026, the first month of the Iran War. The figures highlighted the number of job vacancies in the UK fell to their lowest level in almost five years, dropping to 711,000 for the January to March 2026 period. Figures also showed that there were 89,000 more 16-24 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEETs) between January and March in 2026 than in 2025.
Amid an influx of technological advancements, an ageing workforce, a scarcity of entry-level jobs and a widening skills gap, it has never been more important for young people to prepare for the world of work. On a mission to do all it can to support workers, of today and in the future, Gi Group is working closely with schools in The Two Counties Trust to deliver practical, applicable and bitesize tips and tools at crucial points in the school curriculum.
Hayley Pickering, Regional Manager at Gi Group, commented: “We’re proud to support The Two Counties Trust with career fairs, CV support, mock interviews and speed networking events. Working alongside other regional businesses, we are able to offer careers advice that is really fit for the future in the context of current, and projected, job market insight for children embarking on the world of work. Through the sessions we attend, we work with children, aged between 14-16 years, to understand what drives their career decisions, which in turns supports the work we do.
“We have four members of our employability Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team at Gi Group, but the whole business helps with attendance at these events to give young people true exposure to a range of roles. Throughout 2025, we dedicated 130 hours to our employability initiatives and already in 2026, we have volunteered 45 hours.”
The youngest generations in the workforce, Millennials and Gen Z, have reshaped the world of work. As reported in Deloitte’s global ‘2026 Gen Z and Millennial Survey’, just 25 per cent of Gen Zs and 21 per cent of Millennials prefer fast-paced career progression marked by rapid promotions. Uncertainty has accelerated how Gen Z and Millennials invest in their own employability – prioritising skills development, continuous learning and innovative tools, such as AI. Gi Group believes these trends will continue into future generations.
Clare Hodgson, Deputy Careers Manager at the Two Counties Trust, said: “Working in partnership with businesses, including Gi Group, plays a vital role in strengthening Two Counties Trust’s strategic vision. By creating meaningful connections between education and industry, we are able to offer students a rich variety of real-world experiences. These opportunities not only broaden their horizons but also help them develop the practical skills, confidence, and adaptability needed to thrive in the world of work.”
Hayley added: “The Trust operates schools in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and with our headquarters in Chesterfield, we felt it was the perfect fit for our team to invest in our local community. In the current climate, we recognise how challenging it is for young people to even get work experience, let alone a full-time job, which is why we’re doing what we can to give them the very best start. There has been a number of uncertainties across the labour market in recent years, so we hope by providing young people with the advice and tools to succeed in the real world, we can support their progress.”
