Can experience be more valuable than qualifications? Matthew Hodgkinson, co-founder of The Changing Education Group, certainly thinks so, and his journey from the classroom to national careers innovation is packed with lessons for students.

In this Inspire Future Leaders interview, Matthew shares the importance of real-world experience, persistence, and why work experience is a vital stepping stone into future employment.

Who is Matthew Hodgkinson, and what does he do?

Matthew Hodgkinson is the Director and Co-founder of The Changing Education Group, which delivers hands-free, fully compliant work experience and careers programmes to schools and colleges across the UK.

Before founding The Changing Education Group, Matthew worked in:

• Business Studies education
• Sales and marketing
• Careers advisory and curriculum support

His passion lies in ensuring every student can access meaningful, well-supported experiences that lead to better futures.

The Changing Education Group operates two core services:

• The Changing Education Group: On-the-ground delivery of work experience and employer engagement
• CONNECT: A digital platform for placements, risk management, compliance, and tracking

Together, they help schools deliver Ofsted-ready, Gatsby-compliant careers provision, with minimal admin.

What is Matthew’s advice on work experience?

Matthew’s message to students is clear: qualifications open doors, but experience helps you walk through them.

“Work experience is just as important, if not a little bit more important, than a qualification on a certificate.”
“Qualifications get you through the door, but work experience will probably land you the job.”
– Matthew Hodgkinson

He encourages students to:

• Take work experience seriously: Treat it like a real job, because it is.
• Ask for feedback: Use every opportunity to grow and improve.
• Be persistent: Careers are built over time; keep showing up, learning, and trying.

Why is work experience so important for students?

Work experience bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world readiness. It helps students:

• Understand how workplaces operate
• Build soft skills like communication, timekeeping, and teamwork
• Discover what they enjoy (and what they don’t)
• Make informed post-16 and post-18 choices
• Impress future employers and universities

In short, work experience builds confidence and credibility, long before formal qualifications even come into play.

What is The Changing Education Group doing to support schools?

As co-founder, Matthew has helped shape a service that delivers seamless careers and work experience solutions for schools across the UK. The Changing Education Group Work Experience Suite offers:

• End-to-end placement management
• Digital tools for compliance and risk
• Hands-free delivery support
• Employer engagement with zero hassle

For busy career leads and SLTs, it’s a time-saving, cost-effective, and inspection-ready solution.

Why Students Should Prioritise Experience, Not Just Exams

Matthew Hodgkinson’s journey reminds us that getting a foot in the door isn’t just about grades, it’s about grit, experience, and reflection. By embracing every work opportunity, students build not just a CV, but a career-ready mindset.

Want to help your students access meaningful placements without the paperwork?
Book a demo to explore our Work Experience Suite, the seamless, stress-free way to deliver career readiness in your school.

FAQs

Who is Matthew Hodgkinson?
Matthew is Director and Co-founder of The Changing Education Group and a former business studies teacher, with a deep understanding of education and careers strategy.

What is The Changing Education Group?
It’s a specialist organisation that helps schools deliver hands-free, compliant work experience and careers support through a mix of delivery services and digital tools.

Why is work experience important for students?
It develops real-world skills, builds confidence, and gives students insight into future careers, often making them more employable than grades alone.

Do all schools need to provide work experience?
While not legally required post-16, schools are strongly encouraged to meet the Gatsby Benchmarks, which include workplace encounters and experience.

How can students get more from their placements?
Ask questions, reflect on the experience, seek feedback, and treat every placement as a stepping stone to future opportunities.