Supporting careers education across the West Midlands
The West Midlands Careers Hub works in partnership with schools, colleges, employers, and careers professionals to deliver strategic, high-quality careers programmes that raise aspirations and prepare young people for the world of work.
Following updates to the Department for Education’s statutory careers guidance, from September 2026 schools are expected to ensure all young people complete a minimum of two weeks’ worth of progressive workplace experiences by the end of Year 11. Modern Work Experience moves beyond traditional one-week placements to include employer projects, workplace visits, mentoring, and virtual encounters.
Quick links and key resources
The Careers & Enterprise Academy
Access online CPD modules, training, and resources for Careers Leaders, Teachers, and Governors.
IncludED Careers resources
Explore IncludED Careers planning resources to help prepare your school for a pop-up shop placement.
Practical Retail Work Experience
Our Pop-Up Shops offer SEND learners hands-on retail work experience in public spaces across all seven West Midlands local authorities.
Learners build real-world communication, customer service, and employability skills.
Confirmed Venues & Locations:
Coventry: Coventry Cathedral (CV1 5EX)
Dudley: Provision House (DY1 1PY)
Walsall: The Crossing at St Pauls (WS1 1DA) | Walsall Market (Park St) | Bloxwich Market
Wolverhampton: Bilston Market | Wolverhampton Art Gallery (May–June)
Sandwell: West Bromwich Outdoor Market | Wednesbury Outdoor Market
Solihull: Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre (B37 5TS) | Birmingham Hospice Charity Shop (Mell Square)
Annual projects
Discover long-term regional campaigns, national STEM challenges, and interactive projects available to schools and colleges throughout the academic year.
Energy Quest STEM Challenge
Greenpower Electric Car Challenge
Step into the NHS Competition
Tomorrow’s Engineers EEP Robotics Challenge
Events and awareness calendar for 2026/27
Explore our month-by-month schedule of key awareness days, employer activities, and regional campaigns taking place across the West Midlands throughout 2026–2027.
World Alzheimer’s Month
September 21st is World Alzheimer’s Day. The theme for this year throughout the whole of September is ‘Time to act on dementia, Time to act on Alzheimer’s.
CLICK HERE to find out more
Organic September
Organic September is a month-long campaign promoting organic products, sustainable farming, and awareness of the health and environmental benefits of organic living.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Fun Fair month
World Fun Fair Month is a month of celebrating the past, raising awareness for the present and protecting the future of all Traveling Fairgrounds and funfairs internationally please support your local Fun fairs!
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World PT (Physiotherapy) Day
The toolkit for World PT Day includes information sheets, posters, banners, and activities guide.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
National Coding Week Up-skilling staff and parents
Opportunity to raise the profile of coding. Children are learning digital skills in school or through coding clubs such as CoderDojo. We therefore would like these clubs to open their doors to parents for a one-off session in which the children will teach the adults some of the skills they have learnt.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Youth Mental Health Day
Youth Mental Health Day encourages understanding and discussion of mental health in young people.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Car Free Day
All around the world towns and cities allow people to experience streets free of motor traffic.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Tourism Day
World Tourism Day will be celebrated as the shift towards tourism is being recognized as a crucial pillar for development and as progress is well underway.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Black History Month
The 2026 theme for the UK is 'Honouring Our Communities.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
International Walk to School Month
Get your walking shoes on!
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Space Week
The 2026 theme, “Rocket Revolution,” highlights rapid advancements in rocket technology, including reusable, efficient, and more affordable launch systems that expand opportunities for space exploration, Earth observation, and scientific research.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Teacher Day
Held annually on 5th October, WTD has become the occasion to mark progress and reflect on ways to counter the remaining challenges for the promotion of the teaching profession.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Sight Day
World Sight Day will highlight the critical importance of prioritising child eye health and give children everywhere the opportunity to love their eyes.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Mental Health Day
For 2026, the focus is on mental health in humanitarian emergencies.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Food Day
The worlds farmers produce enough food to feed more than the global population, yet hunger persists. Right to foods for a better life and a better future.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
National Mentoring Day
Opportunity to raise the profile of mentoring for young people and to encourage more people to sign up to be mentors.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
International Day of Radiology
The 2026 theme will be highlighting the critical role of radiology in healthcare and honouring radiology professionals worldwide.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Remembrance Sunday
We remember the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, the vital role played by the emergency services and those that have lost their lives as a result of conflict or terrorism.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Tomorrow’s Engineers Week
Tomorrow’s Engineers Week aims to shine a spotlight on engineering, engineering careers and engineering professionals.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
National School of College Leavers Festival
NSCL Fest showcases all opportunities including apprenticeships, further and higher education, entry level roles, and general employment, offering visitors the chance to engage with top employers, colleges, universities and training providers in a face-to-face, interactive environment.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
BIMA Digital Day
BIMA Digital Day gives 11-16 year olds an insight into a world of digital careers.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Philosophy Day
By celebrating World Philosophy Day each year, on the third Thursday of November, UNESCO underlines the enduring value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and for everyone.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
International Day of Persons with disabilities
The annual observance of the day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with a disability.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Soil Day
World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually on 5 December to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Small business Saturday
Celebrate entrepreneurial spirit by inviting some local small businesses to talk about their career journeys, how they built their own businesses and see them inspire your young people.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
International Civil Aviation Day
The purpose of International Civil Aviation Day is to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to social and economic development.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
International Day of Education
Capturing the spirit of the International Day of Education, UNESCO and partners have spearheaded the Learning Planet Festival to celebrate learning in all contexts and share innovations that fulfil the potential of every learner, no matter what their circumstances.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
RSPB Big birdwatch
Big Garden Birdwatch is a wildlife survey organized to motivate everyone to take steps for the protection of these species and their habitat by counting and keeping track of birds in your garden.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
LGBT+ History month
BT History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
National Apprenticeship Week
An annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships across England and is a time to recognise and applaud apprenticeship success stories across the country.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
International awareness to recognise the critical role women and girls play in science and technology. Each year there is a different theme.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World NGO day
World NGO Day is an international day dedicated to recognise, celebrate and honour all non-government and non-profit organisations and the people behind them that contribute to the society all year round.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
What University & What Career? Live Virtual Event
Held at the NEC benefit from one-to-one advice with expert advisors and get the support you need to take your next step with confidence.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Open Doors: Get into Construction
Open Doors goes behind the site hoardings to showcase the fantastic range of careers available in construction.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
National Careers Week
A celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Food Waster action week
WRAP & Love Food Hate Waste dedicate a week of action to raising awareness of the environmental consequences of wasting food and promoting activities that help reduce the amount of food wasted.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Book Day
Designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, World Book Day is marked in over 100 countries around the globe.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
British Science Week
Events, school projects and challenges as part of British Science Week.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
International Women’s Day
Celebrating women’s achievements and reinforce a commitment to women’s equality.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Pi Day
Pi Day is an annual opportunity for math enthusiasts to recite the infinite digits of Pi, talk to their friends about math and eat pie.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
English Tourism week
Opportunity to promote jobs within the tourism sector and invite in local tourism employers/employees.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
International Day of Forests
International Day of Forests aims to help the restoration and sustainable management of forests and to help address climate-change and biodiversity crises.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World water day
Water means different things to different people. This conversation is about what water means to you.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Theatre Day
This is a celebration for those who can see the value and importance of the art form 'theatre'.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
National Pet Month
National Pet Month (NPM) celebrates and raises awareness of responsible pet ownership through our educational campaigns and resources across various platforms.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Art Day
World Art Day is an occasion to shine a light on arts education in schools, as culture can pave the way for inclusive and equitable education.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Stephen Lawrence Day
Invite a relatable role model to come into mentor and judge you’re your people’s next social action project to benefit and improve your local community.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Earth Day
Annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection
CLICK HERE to find out more.
International Design Day
On this day, we challenge designers to reflect deeply on the well-being of people within their local environments and to find innovative solutions to local needs by using design as a vehicle to honour diversity and transcend.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Press Freedom Day
A reminder to government of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
International Firefighters Day
A time where the world’s community can recognise and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
International Day of the Midwife
Advocating for investment in quality midwifery care around the world, improving sexual, reproductive, maternal, new-born, child and adolescent health in the process.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Mental Health Awareness Week
Bringing an awareness of mental health for everyone.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
National Smile Month
The Oral Health Foundation will be raising awareness of important health issues and ready to put a smile on everybody’s face.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
International Day for Biological Diversity
Biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable development challenges. From nature-based solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
National BBQ Week
Invite volunteers to speak about their careers in food technology, food production and how this links with the curriculum they are studying.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Pride Month
Across the globe, various events are held during this special month as a way of recognising the influence LGBT people have had around the world.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Volunteers Week
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
World Environment Day
World Environment Day calls for urgent action to revive our damaged ecosystems.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Clean Air Day
Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign, bringing together communities, businesses, schools and the health sector.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
International Tiger Day
The beautiful, awe-inspiring tiger is one of our planet’s most iconic animals. But here’s the shocking truth. Wild tiger numbers dropped by more than 95% since the beginning of the 20th century.
CLICK HERE to find out more.
Careers Hub Calendar 2026/27
View a full schedule of events for the upcoming academic year.