Fair Work Futures: An Education Programme on Labour Exploitation for Youth
Labour exploitation in the UK, as well as overseas, is not well understood by many young people.
The Fair Work Futures programme helps young people better identify fair and unfair working practices, examine why exploitation persists, and explore the roles that government, businesses and individual citizens play in shaping work conditions.
This programme has been developed in partnership with young people (including those with lived experience), educators, and behavioural science specialists.
Programme Objectives
Knowledge – Young people can identify and describe forms of labour exploitation and forced labour
Critical reflection – Young people better understand vulnerabilities to labour exploitation and can distinguish between fair, unsafe and exploitative working conditions
Collective action – Young people are motivated to identify practical ways that individuals, communities and policymakers can contribute to fairer working conditions
PAST EVENTS
‘What is Fair Work?’ Workshop Series – January 2026
In January 2026, we launched a ‘What is Fair Work?’ workshop series with a lived experience youth group. The sessions focus on UK employment rights and use real-life case studies to help participants recognise fair and unfair working practices, understand their legal protections, and build confidence in navigating the workplace.
Round Table – May 2025
In May 2025, we hosted a roundtable convening experts from the education sector and from social action and youth organisations to shape the design of the education programme pilot.
The pilot will run across a range of educational contexts including schools, pupil referral units and children’s homes. It includes two structured lessons, an immersive media experience at Sky Up Academy, and supported opportunities for young people to take social action.
