Nearly 10,000 young people in Leeds access careers support

Delivered by the council’s employment and skills service the programme reached 9,983 young people during the 2025/26 academic year.

The team worked with more than 50 schools, colleges and specialist settings across Leeds, while also engaging 1,030 parents and carers and 329 teachers.

Through apprenticeship awareness sessions, employer-led activities, careers events and access to local labour market information, Informed Choices connects young people with the opportunities available across the city.

The apprenticeship sessions attracted 8,400 young people and over 20 school careers activities were delivered together with local businesses.

For 2026/27, the employment and skills service is continuing to provide a comprehensive programme of free careers education and advice support to schools and colleges across the city.

The offer includes free apprenticeship awareness and careers sessions for students in Year 10 and above, support from apprenticeship ambassadors, connections with employers, careers activities and assemblies, and access to the Leeds careers education, information, advice and guidance network.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, said: “The achievements of the Informed Choices programme really demonstrate the difference that strong partnerships between schools, colleges, employers and careers professionals can make for young people in Leeds.

“Behind every figure is a young person who has gained new information, met an employer, discovered an opportunity or developed greater confidence about their next step.

“We are incredibly proud of the reach of the programme and are looking forward to building on this success during the new academic year.”

The employment and skills service will also deliver two of the city’s largest careers events at Leeds first direct arena during the academic year:

• Careers in Leeds – 3 November 2026
• Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair – 9 February 2027

Schools, colleges and employers interested in getting involved with Informed Choices can contact the service at esemployers@leeds.gov.uk.

Start in Leeds is a careers platform with helpful information about jobs and career opportunities as well as information about local education and training provision.

ENDS