Employers are clear about what they’re looking for in their workforce – people with strong social skills, who can think on their feet, adapt to change, work collaboratively, and solve problems creatively.
But there is a disconnect.
Fewer than half (47%) of young people aged 18-24 feel ready to enter the workforce after education. (IPPR, 2024)
That’s not about talent or ambition, it’s about preparation.
Education prepares young people to pass exams, but not the tools and skills that build psychological fitness. To be ready for real-life work experience they need to be competent in: flexible and realistic thinking, self-awareness and compassion, human connection, self-regulation, hope and optimism.
The 21st century workplace is demanding more than academic results
The next generation of employees, entrepreneurs, and leaders will operate in a world that’s faster, more complex, and more unpredictable than ever. To thrive in it, young people need more than good grades.
They need psychological fitness – the capacity to function well under pressure, to stay grounded in uncertainty, to adapt when things go wrong, to understand their unique strengths and how to use them effectively.
This isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you learn and build with the right support.
At Bounce Forward we train teachers to develop these skills directly through our school programmes like Healthy Minds, where students have weekly lessons and learn how to:
- Recognise and regulate emotions
- Fail well
- Think realistically and flexibly
- Stay optimistic, hopeful and purposeful, even in tough times
- Communicate with empathy and self-awareness
Why should employers care?
Because young people are your future workforce.
Whether you’re leading a global brand, a growing startup, or a community-based business, the people you’ll be hiring tomorrow are in school today, learning to navigate a complex word with limited tools.
Investing in their psychological fitness now is smart planning and long-term thinking.
By partnering with us you’re inspiring change to:
- Strengthen the future talent pipeline
- Align your CSR and ESG strategies with measurable impact
- Support change in education
- Build a value-driven employer brand that young people trust
Partner with us
We’re already working with 100s of schools across the UK, but we know the need is much bigger. That’s why we’re looking for bold, forward-thinking partners to help us scale psychological fitness for the next generation.
Want to be part of it? We’d love to talk!
Because when young people thrive, the future does too.
