Ambitious Dorset young carers face preventable barriers to work experience

MYTIME calls on local employers to open their doors and help young carers take their first steps towards employment

Young carers in Dorset want to become doctors, lawyers, engineers and pilots but anxiety, travel costs and a lack of accessible placements are blocking their route into the workplace.

A survey of 28 young carers by MYTIME Young Carers charity found ambitions spanning healthcare, law, technology, engineering, business and the creative industries. Young people named careers including forensic pathology, clinical psychology, aeronautical engineering, commercial aviation and prosecution law.The findings are published in MYTIME’s new report, The MYTIME Young Carers Employability Survey.

The Survey found that practical and emotional barriers are preventing young carers from accessing the experience they need.

Anxiety and confidence were cited as barriers by 25% of respondents. Five young people identified travel costs, five raised difficulties getting to placements and four said they were worried because they did not know what to expect.

Four also identified time as a barrier. Unlike many of their peers, young carers must balance opportunities outside school with responsibilities at home, which can make fixed or inflexible placements difficult to attend.

Only three of the 28 respondents could reach a placement on foot, while 29% said they would need help with travel.

Yet demand for meaningful workplace experience is high. Some 43% wanted a placement lasting one to two weeks and 32% preferred a placement of between one and five days.

Krista Cartlidge, Chief Executive Officer of MYTIME Young Carers, said:

“These young people are not lacking ambition, ability or determination. They are being held back by barriers that employers, educators and funders have the power to remove.

“Young carers develop resilience, responsibility, empathy and problem-solving skills far beyond their years. Employers say they want these qualities, yet young carers are still struggling to get through the door.

“We need employers to stop overlooking this extraordinary pool of talent and start creating placements which are accessible, flexible and properly supported.”

The findings will inform the MYTIME Employability Summit: Unlocking Potential, taking place at Bournemouth University’s Fusion Building on Wednesday 4 November 2026, in partnership with Dorset Chamber and Bournemouth University.

The Summit will connect young carers aged 14 to 25 directly with employers and provide access to placements, apprenticeships, mentoring and practical employment support. Of those surveyed, 96% said they wanted to attend.

MYTIME is calling on Dorset employers to attend the Summit and commit to offering young carers work experience, insight days or mentoring.

Employers can register here.

Schools and colleges can register here