Providing experiences of the workplace
Nothing beats hands-on experience for gaining an insight into working life, and your business can also benefit in a number of ways. Opening your doors to young people is an opportunity to raise awareness and understanding of your organisation and industry, and to help students transition into the workplace. In the longer-term, you could even have a future employee. Activities include hosting short workplace visits or longer industry placement opportunities for older students.
Workplace Visits
Hosting a short workplace visit for an individual or group of students gives them an overview of your organisation and industry, and an insight into the working environment. It is also a great opportunity to inspire their future work experience and career choices. The visit could be a few hours or a full day, and include presentations, site tours, hands-on experience and/or Q&A sessions.
Headline benefits
- Support your local community
- Build partnerships
- Staff development
Your commitment
- Delivery time: Short
- Equipment and/or facilities
- Liaison with education institution
- Substantial preparation time
Get a clear overview of England’s education and skills system, how it’s changing to meet business needs, where your business can get involved, and the benefits of doing so. Download the Guide
Job Shadowing
This gives young people the opportunity to spend time observing (shadowing) one or more employees for a short period. This offers the student a snapshot view of a role, working life, and your organisation. Job shadowing usually takes place over one to three days. It can form the early part of a short work experience.
Headline benefits
- Support your local community
- Staff development
Your commitment
- Delivery time: Short/longer
- Equipment and/or facilities
- Liaison with education institution
Get a clear overview of England’s education and skills system, how it’s changing to meet business needs, where your business can get involved, and the benefits of doing so. Download the Guide
Short Experiences of the Workplace
Short periods of work experience can provide a useful introduction to the workplace. Students typically spend several days within an organisation undertaking a number of activities under supervision. The experience will help develop students’ general understanding of the workplace, build their confidence, possibly influence their choice of career path, and support their preparation for the transition from school or college into employment. Alongside this, you have the opportunity to showcase your organisation and industry.
Headline benefits
- Support your local community
- Staff development
Your commitment
- Delivery time: Longer
- Equipment and/or facilities
- Liaison with education institution
- Substantial preparation time
- Supervision and line management
Get a clear overview of England’s education and skills system, how it’s changing to meet business needs, where your business can get involved, and the benefits of doing so. Download the Guide
Longer Placements (T Level industry placements for 16–19 year olds)
During an industry placement a student spends an extended period of time with an employer as part of their formal education programme. They gain essential workplace knowledge and skills that employers seek, thus helping to prepare them for employment or further training. Placements may be delivered in one block or spread over the duration of the student’s course. Placements also give you an additional resource for your team, and an opportunity to introduce a student to your organisation and industry. You may use the placement to assess a student’s capability with a view to future recruitment, for example, for an apprenticeship or other job role.
Headline benefits
- Support your local community
- Build partnerships
- Staff development
- New talent
- Fresh perspectives
Your commitment
- Delivery time: Ongoing
- Equipment and/or facilities
- Liaison with education institution
- Substantial preparation time
- Supervision and line management
Longer Placements (Placements and internships for HE students)
Many higher education (HE) courses include a period of up to a year spent in industry, enabling students to build their knowledge and skills in the workplace setting. Students have the opportunity to develop relevant industry and essential skills. Longer placements also give you additional resource for your team, and you can use the opportunity to assess a student’s capability, often recruiting direct from the placement programmes.
Headline benefits
- Support your local community
- Staff development
- New talent
- Fresh perspectives
Your commitment
- Delivery time: Ongoing
- Equipment and/or facilities
- Liaison with education institution
- Substantial preparation time
- Supervision and line management
Get a clear overview of England’s education and skills system, how it’s changing to meet business needs, where your business can get involved, and the benefits of doing so. Download the Guide
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering opportunities can provide students with experience of the workplace and career inspiration. The opportunity will often be arranged between the student and the employer, and there will not be formal requirements – such as length or goals – specified by the student’s school, college or university. Volunteers would not be expected to be responsible for specific roles or projects.
Headline benefits
- Support your local community
- Staff development
- New talent
Your commitment
- Delivery time: Ongoing
- Equipment and/or facilities
- Substantial preparation time
- Supervision and line management
Get a clear overview of England’s education and skills system, how it’s changing to meet business needs, where your business can get involved, and the benefits of doing so. Download the Guide
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