John Healey said: "U-Explore is making careers advice exciting and inspiring as well as informative. This is more important than it's ever been because it's tougher than it's ever been for young people to make that step into the world of work from school or college.

"Unemployment has soared to the highest level for a generation and long-term youth unemployment has more than doubled since January last year."

Rachel Reeves added: "It's great that U-Explore is helping young people get on the careers ladder. With unemployment at a 17-year high, they need support now more than ever."

The core U-Explore product - a web-based platform supporting careers and work-related and enterprise learning that has reached over one third of all English secondary schools - was showcased to John and Rachel during their visit. They were also introduced to the work that the Rotherham-based business has been doing to support both foundation learners and young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) - with projects already well underway in Sheffield and Leicestershire, respectively.

James Frith, Managing Director of U-Explore, commented: "It is always good to be asked to show off the work we are doing to help improve young people's chances of finding employment. We are thrilled to do so with such important national figures. Youth unemployment and getting young people ready for work is such an important aspect of the work we do."