Purpose Lab is reshaping how students and employers work together - and it matters now more than ever

Nearly 946,000 young people in the UK are currently outside education, employment or training  - almost 200,000 more than five years ago. Behind those numbers are real lives, real potential and a widening gap between what young people need and what employers expect. At the same time, businesses are under growing pressure to understand the next generation, build fairer pathways into work and prove they stand for something meaningful.

Purpose Lab sits at the centre of these challenges and turns them into opportunity. Overseeing Purpose Lab as part of the Purpose Coalition I hear everyday how we are helping to tackle the new challenges students face and I could not be prouder of the difference it is making.

Developed by The Purpose Coalition and powered by employers, universities and educators across the UK, it brings students and organisations together to solve real problems, strengthen understanding and co-design practical routes into good jobs. It is more than a project. It is a shared mission redefining how talent and industry connect.

Why Purpose Lab Works for Students:

Real Experience. Real Confidence. Real Influence.

Students rarely get the chance to shape ideas for major organisations while still studying. Purpose Lab changes that. Students work directly with employers to explore live challenges, develop solutions and present insights that influence real decision-making. It gives them something powerful: experience that goes far beyond theory, and proof that their perspectives matter.

A Competitive Edge in a Tough Market

When hundreds of applicants are chasing the same role, young people need more than grades. They need examples of initiative, creativity and resilience. Purpose Lab helps them build stories, skills and achievements that stand out in interviews and demonstrate capability in a way CVs alone cannot.

Access to Employers and Networks That Open Doors

Many students lack natural access to professional networks. As Purpose Lab Ambassadors they meet business leaders, talent teams and policymakers, often for the first time. These connections can lead to mentorships, internships and long-term opportunities that can reshape career trajectories.

A Platform to Shape the Future

Students are clear: they want to be part of meaningful change. Purpose Lab gives them that platform. Their lived experiences and ideas help organisations design services, support communities and make decisions that better reflect the next generation.

As Student Ambassador Kenzie Salem puts it:

“The ideas we share aren’t just opinions—they’re insights that can help businesses make decisions that are fair, inclusive, and representative of everyone.”