Who We Are
Opportunity, Confidence, and Real-World Experience
We help young people 18–26 gain practical experience and the skills to stand out in the AI age — free for participants, funded by employers and partners.
Our Purpose
Launchpad exists to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity. Entry-level roles are changing fast; we make work experience practical, accessible, and relevant — and we help employers find diverse, capable early talent.
Our Values
Opportunity for Everyone
Talent is everywhere; access isn't. We level the playing field.
Learning by Doing
Real work beats passive content. Practice builds capability.
People + AI
AI accelerates learning; humans make it meaningful.
Real Skills, Real Experience
Problem-solving, communication, digital and AI literacy, teamwork.
Confidence Through Competence
Confidence grows from contribution and achievement.
Methodology: Real Work Creates Real Impact
When young people are trusted with real briefs, they contribute real value — insights, creativity, prototypes, and process improvements businesses can use.
We prioritise doing over watching: practice, teamwork, and guided problem-solving supported by AI.
We blend AI tools with human facilitation, peer collaboration, weekly demos, and feedback.
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Apply & Join a Cohort
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4-Week Work-Experience Sprint
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Weekly Demos & Feedback
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Showcase & Next Steps
Help a Young Person Stand Out
Apply for the next cohort or talk to us about sponsoring a group.