A career development and education organisation founded by cousins Ben and Michael Dyer while studying at University of Staffordshire has now impacted the lives of more than 700,000 young people around the globe.

The Stoke-on-Trent born cousins are co-founders of The Inspirational Learning Group which used innovative learning programmes to develop career readiness and employability skills.

Their flagship programme, The National Careers Challenge, in partnership with NatWest Thrive, is sponsored by Air Products, British Airways and Wickes and more than 50,000 young people across the globe will engage with the programme during this academic year.

In addition to a portfolio of challenges and an international presence that is growing at pace, Ben and Michael lead their team to produce bespoke school programmes for clients including JCB, NHS and the Financial Conduct Authority and leverage these partnerships to provide additional engagement opportunities for students in Staffordshire and beyond.

Ben and Michael are currently exploring further opportunities within India, Dubai and Hong Kong and additional opportunities in the UK which will ensure The Inspirational Learning Group continues to grow.

From humble beginnings in 2013, working from a rented office on the University of Staffordshire campus, TILG has become a market-leader in the careers education sector, with its flagship The National Careers Challenge now the largest school enterprise competition in the UK.

New partnerships developed in 2024/25 with the NHS, Financial Conduct Authority and GCHQ have widened the scope of work for the company and opportunities for additional innovative programmes for young people. These collaborations complement existing partnerships with the likes of NatWest Thrive, Air Products, British Airways, Wickes and General Electric.

Ben and Michael led the successful launch of the National Careers Challenge in China and the UAE, expanding the company’s influence and offering international students exposure to UK-based career opportunities.

Ben and Michael are committed to supporting their local communities in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, ensuring as many students as possible have access to fully funded, tailored programmes designed to prepare them for the future.

Their local initiatives include 47 primary schools taking part in the Start Small, Dream Big 2025 programme, 2,000 students from 10 schools in Staffordshire and Derbyshire participating in the JCB Solutions Challenge and all secondary schools in Stoke-on-Trent participating in My Digital Future Challenge promoting digital skills for local careers.

They have also developed Lightbulb Online, a platform providing 360-degree career exploration and accessible resources for students, including those with special educational needs.

Ben and Michael Dyer have entered the Alumni Business Person of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards.