The Challenge: A Complex Landscape for Young People to Navigate

Choosing the right education and career path is one of the most important decisions a young person will make - yet it’s increasingly difficult to get right. In a fast-changing world of work, the pathway from school to a fulfilling career is no longer linear. Young people face a confusing mix of options, fragmented information, and a growing pressure to “get it right” early.

At the same time, employers are crying out for talent in areas like digital, construction, health, and green jobs - but struggle to connect with future candidates. The result is a disconnect: young people unsure of their next step, and local economies missing out on potential.

This is where well-designed digital platforms can make a profound difference. By integrating information, simplifying complex choices, and tailoring guidance to each user, they offer a powerful solution to help young people make informed, confident decisions about their future.

The Role of Digital Platforms in Supporting Young People

Digital tools are transforming how young people engage with education and employment opportunities. When designed effectively, they serve as:

• Discovery engines - helping young people explore industries, roles, and opportunities based on their interests and strengths.

• Information hubs - bringing together fragmented data on courses, apprenticeships, and careers into one accessible location.

• Personalised advisors - using smart logic to match users to relevant local pathways, support, and events.

• Bridges to employers - connecting young people directly with live vacancies, work experience, and real-world insights.

Rather than replacing in-person guidance, these platforms enhance reach, scale, and impact, particularly for those who may not have strong support networks or access to dedicated careers advisors.

Be More: A Practical Example of Impact

One example of this approach in action is Be More - the Liverpool City Region’s online careers portal. Be More is designed to help young people across the region understand their options, explore opportunities, and access support.

Kaleidoscope was commissioned to design and deliver the initial Be More website, with a specific focus on driving uptake of apprenticeships - a critical priority for local skills and employment strategies. We worked closely with the Combined Authority to create a platform that was visually engaging, easy to navigate, and focused on helping users match their interests with real-world opportunities.

Over time, Be More has evolved into a broader digital platform that now serves as the go-to regional hub for careers guidance, learning, and employment. Kaleidoscope has supported this growth by delivering targeted campaigns that raise awareness, increase engagement, and promote the benefits of apprenticeships and local careers.

Our role has always been about making the complex feel simple - helping users understand what’s available and how to take the next step.

Other Innovative Tools Making a Difference

Across the UK and beyond, several digital platforms are leading the way in helping young people find the right path:

• Start (by U-Explore) - A free, national careers platform that offers personalised guidance based on students’ interests and aspirations. It includes tools for building CVs, exploring sectors, and planning career routes.

• Barclays LifeSkills - An interactive platform that helps young people assess their skills and build employability, with real-world activities and employer insights.

• SkillsBuilder Benchmark - A digital tool used in schools and youth settings that enables young people to assess and track their essential skills (e.g., teamwork, problem-solving) over time.

• National Careers Service - Continually evolving, the platform now offers a blend of live chat support, job profiles, and course information to help individuals of all ages find suitable pathways.

What these platforms share is a user-centric approach: understanding that young people don’t just need information - they need confidence, inspiration, and clarity.

Why This Matters for Commissioners and Policy Makers

Digital platforms like Be More offer more than just convenience. They’re a strategic tool for:

• Tackling NEET rates by providing engaging, accessible support to those most at risk of disengagement.

• Aligning education with labour market needs by highlighting regional skills gaps and live opportunities.

• Empowering schools and colleges to supplement their careers provision without additional staffing pressures.

• Delivering measurable outcomes through engagement data, user pathways, and referral tracking.

In a climate where public services must do more with less, digital solutions offer scalable impact - particularly when designed with inclusivity and behavioural insight at their core.

Kaleidoscope: A Trusted Partner for Digital Youth Engagement

At Kaleidoscope, we build digital products that create positive impact. With deep experience in the education, employment, and skills sectors, we understand how to design platforms that are both strategically aligned and genuinely user-friendly.

Whether it’s helping a local authority launch an apprenticeship drive, or supporting a national initiative to inspire young people into future careers, our approach is always rooted in collaboration, clarity, and creativity.

Let’s Work Together

If you're exploring how a digital platform could support your education, skills, or employment programme - whether regionally or nationally - we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can build tools that help young people take confident steps toward a future that’s right for them.