Over the course of the three-year partnership between the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) and Education and Employers, over 45,000 young people from more than 340 schools were engaged through meaningful encounters with a diverse range of craft professionals.
By bringing real-world role models into classrooms, the programme opened young people’s eyes to the diverse opportunities available within the craft sector. Students explored career pathways, discovered new creative possibilities, and gained a greater understanding of the importance of traditional and contemporary crafts in modern society.
Growing Reach, Growing Impact
The programme expanded dramatically over the course of the partnership:
- 45,000+ young people engaged
- 340+ schools reached
- 60 annual activities delivered, up from 22
- 22,000+ young people reached in the final year alone
- 30 craft disciplines represented, up from 24
- 84 active volunteers sharing their expertise, nearly triple the original number
Making Craft Careers Accessible
Teacher-led sessions became a powerful driver of engagement, enabling schools to reach even more students. New recorded content and Plug and Play resources provided flexible, accessible ways for teachers to introduce craft careers in the classroom, helping embed meaningful career learning at scale.
“It was valuable to see that there are jobs that fit the students’ interests rather than trying to fit themselves into ‘cookie-cutter’ job roles”
– Jessica Sutton, Teacher, ALP Parkview Academy.
Volunteers shared their passion and expertise, with many expressing how rewarding it was to inspire the next generation.
“I enjoyed learning about the other craft makers who also presented their work and loved that, as a group, we were showing a new generation of makers jobs they would have never heard of without the session.”
– Jazmine, Taxidermist
Students were particularly impacted by learning about niche and lesser-known crafts, discovering pathways beyond traditional education, and envisioning themselves pursuing careers in the creative sector.
“All the volunteers made an impact as their industries aren’t as well known and have given us knowledge for entry into these sectors.”
– Year 10 Student
Together, these achievements demonstrate the programme’s success in broadening young people’s awareness of careers in the craft sector, strengthening connections between schools and industry, and inspiring the next generation to explore opportunities within the creative and heritage craft sectors.