Essential Workwear Partners with Working Options in Education to Inspire Young Minds through TikTok Series 

Essential Workwear, the UK’s leading custom workwear supplier and title sponsor of the 2025 Bedfordshire SME Awards, has teamed up with the national employability charity Working Options in Education to launch an exciting digital initiative designed to empower and inspire the next generation of professionals. 

“As title sponsors of the 2025 Bedfordshire SME Awards, we’re proud to play a central role in recognising the incredible achievements of local businesses. But beyond the celebration, we see this platform as an opportunity to make a lasting difference—particularly for the next generation of talent.” 

About the Partnership 

Working Options in Education is a national employability and life skills charity that helps young people aged 14–19 to broaden their career horizons and develop the confidence, knowledge, and skills they need to succeed in the workplace. Through employer-led career talks, skills workshops, and digital content, the charity connects students with real-world professionals to bring careers education to life—especially for those from under-resourced backgrounds. Their mission is to ensure that every young person, regardless of their starting point, can access the inspiration and support needed to achieve their full potential. 

Essential Workwear is the UK’s leading supplier of custom-branded workwear, trusted by businesses of all sizes to deliver high-quality, personalised garments that reflect their brand and keep teams looking professional. With a state-of-the-art production facility in Bedfordshire, Essential Workwear handles everything in-house—from artwork and embroidery to screen printing and DTF printing—ensuring exceptional quality control and quick turnaround times. Known for its innovation, customer-first approach, and deep industry expertise, Essential Workwear continues to set the standard for garment decoration and branded workwear across the UK. 

Inspiring the Future, One Video at a Time 

Working Options has a strong presence on TikTok with an engaged young audience. They use this platform to put out content which aims to inspire young people into careers that they may not have even considered. Essential Workwear saw an excellent opportunity to film some content which showcases the diverse range of career options there are, even under 1 roof! 

By showcasing real-world stories, various job roles, and honest insights into the world of work, the video series is designed to bridge the gap between education and employment. 

With Working Options in Education named as the Awards’ chosen charity, the partnership was a natural fit. Together, we’re using our position and the visibility the Awards provide to shine a light on inspiring career stories and open up new pathways for young people. It’s all part of our wider commitment to giving back to the community and using our voice to empower the future workforce. 

“Together we’ve achieved almost 400,000 views on TikTok of the careers content we have created in partnership, so far. These videos might seem like light entertainment, but they help to empower young people to take control of their careers; while watching one video can change a mindset, watching a series and engaging with our programmes in schools can change young people’s behaviours. Essential have been a Mary Poppins partner on this one – supercalifragilisticexpialidocious – and have been practically perfect in every way.”

– Susanna, Working Options 

Meet The Essential Team

The video series included 4 members of the Essential team. Meet them below! 

Kira 
Sales Team Leader

“I started working in this industry when I was 17 years old, starting off as a Customer Service Apprentice to now Sales Team Leader at Essential. I can’t help but be proud of the journey I have been on in the past 11 years. I will always be grateful for Essential having faith in me and helping me grow personally and professionally.”

Michaela 
Marketing Executive 

“As a Marketing Executive for Essential, my role is really varied—from managing social media and updating the website, to being out at events and meeting suppliers. That’s one of the things I love most about it! Marketing and the industry are always evolving, so there’s always something new to learn, which keeps things exciting and helps me grow every day.”

Nigel 
Production Operations Manager

“From going to uni to avoid paying my dad rent, to Manager of 8 people, the last 13 years have been a journey. I never imagined I would go into this industry but I am so grateful to have had the opportunities Essential has given me. I moved to different companies to learn other processes but came back to Essential as I could see they were a level above everyone else!”

Beth 
Artwork Account Executive

“I’ve worked in and around the fashion industry for years but never realised just how unique and creative it is until I joined Essential. I started in sales but have now moved to the artwork department where I was trained up on the job. Having the freedom to be so closely involved with the production process is incredible. I’m very thankful for the experience that Essential has given me.”

Born from a Celebration of Business Excellence

The video project evolved from Essential Workwear’s role as title sponsor of the 2025 Bedfordshire SME Awards – an event that celebrates innovation and excellence across the region’s small and medium-sized enterprises. Essential Workwear, having proudly taken home three awards themselves in 2019, understands the value and hard work behind these achievements. 

“We know how much passion and perseverance goes into building something extraordinary,” said a spokesperson from Essential Workwear. “Now that we’re in a position to support and celebrate other businesses, we also want to use that platform to give back—by helping to inspire the next wave of talent.” 

By coming together for this initiative, Essential Workwear and Working Options in Education have demonstrated how even a single collaboration can spark inspiration, broaden horizons, and create valuable opportunities for young people. It’s a reminder that when businesses use their platform to do good, even short-term efforts can leave a lasting impression.