Channelling Motivations - Can optimism and motivation be developed through a self-reflective intervention? A multi-part intervention trial

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Conducted in partnership with the EY Foundation, the Channelling Motivations project has focused on how to cultivate intrinsic motivation (doing things because they are enjoyable) and internal motivation (doing things because they fit one’s values and identity). Why? Because research - including our earlier Motivating Futures project - has shown that these are foundations for developing agency and human-centric skills - the very things that young people increasingly need in this rapidly-changing labour market.

In short, if we can nurture motivation, we can improve receptivity of the brilliant work that organisations are already doing on employability and skills, helping those who are most at risk of falling into the NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) category and directing them into training and employment that aligns with their motivations and values.

This Working Paper reports early findings from a brief, theory-based intervention designed to strengthen optimism, motivation and perceived work-related skills among young people taking part in EY Foundation employability skills and work experience programmes. It finds that short, structured reflective sessions of this kind could be a promising and practical addition to careers and employability programmes for young people from low-income backgrounds, and merit testing at greater scale through rigorous experimental designs aligned with current education and skills research priorities.

The full suite of outputs for this project can be found on our dedicated Channelling Motivations page.

“Many young people who are at risk of becoming NEET have the potential to thrive and are motivated to succeed, but they need support to channel their motivation towards a future of good work. These important reports show why we must look beyond narrow ‘skills fixes’ and recognise the role of motivation, self-belief and agency in helping young people navigate the transition from education into training and employment. A more reflective approach to careers guidance focused on nurturing young people’s motivations and passions would help them to access opportunities that are available - whether that’s training, apprenticeships or further learning and help ensure every young person has a fair chance to succeed.” - Helen Hayes MP, Chair of the Education Select Committee

“Technology is rapidly changing the world of work, and it is vital that we intentionally construct equitable transitions for young people from school and training into careers. This brilliant research sets out a new architecture for these pathways. Also clear from this research is the critical driver of motivation, and its significant potential to help address the major challenge of supporting young people from low-income backgrounds into good work.” - Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, CEO of Stemettes

“At The Careers & Enterprise Company, we are driven to enable every young person to find their best next step. This important new research highlights the vital role of intrinsic and internalised forms of motivation in empowering young people. We are excited to explore how these findings can inform our initiatives and partnerships, ultimately helping to create better outcomes for young people.” -John Yarham, CEO of the Careers & Enterprise Company

“We know young people are determined to succeed. Over more than eleven years of delivering programmes, I’ve seen the transformational impact when a young person from a low-income background is shown that careers they once felt were out of reach are possible for them. It is exciting to see this research translate those insights into a training model that could benefit young people everywhere.” - Lynne Peabody, CEO of the EY Foundation

“In the West Midlands, we recognise the urgent need to support our young people as they navigate the challenges of entering the workforce, especially in a time of rapid technological change. The early findings from the pilot intervention are encouraging, showing the potential of motivation-based training to improve outcomes for young people. As a pilot region for the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, we want to explore innovative and evidence-based solutions that enhance the support we provide, ensuring every young person has the chance to thrive in the changing labour market." - David Gaughan, Director of Employment and Skills at West Midlands Combined Authority