Milburn, who led a major report on youth activity in the UK, has recommended that employers take a more active role in teaching children about work from the earliest years of primary school. He says that careers education should begin as young as four, with businesses helping pupils develop an understanding of different jobs and the skills required in the workplace.
The recommendation forms one of the central proposals in Milburn's review of youth engagement, which examined how young people are prepared for employment and civic participation. Advocates of early careers education argue that exposure to the world of work can broaden aspirations, reduce misconceptions about certain occupations and help children build practical skills over time.
Milburn's call extends beyond classroom lessons, suggesting employers could provide practical input through visits, role models and simple activities tailored to young children. By embedding workplace awareness into the primary curriculum, the review contends pupils would gain a foundation that can be developed further through secondary education and vocational training.
The proposal is likely to prompt discussion among education authorities, schools and business groups about how such programmes could be designed and funded. Questions remain about the capacity of employers to engage with very young pupils, how to ensure equitable access across different areas, and what safeguards would be needed when businesses work directly with schools.
Milburn's report adds to ongoing national debates over how best to equip young people for the labour market and address long-term concerns about youth unemployment and underemployment. If adopted, the recommendations would represent a shift towards earlier intervention and a closer partnership between education providers and employers in shaping children's understanding of work and careers.