Breaking into Design Careers: Ben & Mia's Story

For young people navigating a competitive and often inaccessible job market, hands-on experience and meaningful industry connections can make all the difference.

Ben joined Future Makers in October after spending a year out of education and struggling to find work. The main barriers were the high cost of specialist courses and a competitive job market, both within design and beyond.

"It's hard to get a response from employers while applying for any kind of work. There needs to be more apprenticeships for young people."

Ben later went on to complete a course with an organisation focused on responsible urban beekeeping, horticulture and community growing.

Mia, a recent Design Engineering graduate from Imperial College London, faced similar challenges. She found that keeping an eye on social media helped, stumbling across Future Makers that way, and that opportunities to meet designers in person are vital.

Over the course of the traineeship, Mia found that working hands-on alongside professionals gave her a practical insight into design that is now actively helping her as she starts her first job out of university.

"The embodied experience is not something you can just learn from a textbook. Future Makers has given me a foot up for my next woodworking experience."

Ben and Mia's stories reflect what Future Makers is built to provide: a bridge between education and work, building confidence, skills and experience for young people who need it most.