Supporting students with work experience – when they cannot get a placement

Teachers can support students unable to get work experience placements with free virtual work experience resources from Youth Employment UK. Here’s how.

Work experience is of great value to students. That includes virtual work experience.

Face to face work experience for young people still in education is important. We know that by having four or more encounters with the world of work young people are 25% less likely to become NEET, and we also know from young people themselves how valuable those in person experiences are in growing their confidence and awareness about the world of work.

Many schools and colleges work hard to put on the opportunity for work experience. However, with different pressures, resources and locations, it is not always possible for every student to have an external work experience opportunity. This was even more the case during the pandemic, where the number of students able to access work experience rapidly declined.

Virtual work experience has become a great opportunity for employers to reach more young people.

For example, organisations like Speaker for Schools have amazing virtual work experiences which we showcase through our Opportunity Finder – and of course can be accessed directly on their website.

In addition, we feature virtual work experience in our work experience guides for students, learners and young people.

Create a virtual work experience alternative to placements with our FREE skills and careers resources

As a digital skills and careers platform, the free resources from Youth Employment UK are a great way to support young people aged 11-30. In response to a growing need for week-long virtual experiences we have created this short guide for schools and colleges. You can use our resources with your students and learners across a week of onsite work related learning in the absence of physical work experience placements.

Examples of our Virtual Work Experience programmes (see guide)

• Explore the world of work experience
• Explore catering work experience
• Explore McDonald’s work experience

The benefits of using our virtual work experience resources

• All of our resources are free, and mapped to the Gatsby Benchmarks, Skills Builder and CDI Frameworks.
• They are proven to engage young people, build their skills and knowledge on their journey to work.
• They feature notes and resources for teachers and careers leaders.
• They are flexible in the way that they can be used.

We have lots of help and support on hand to guide schools, colleges and other professionals working with young people. Simply get in touch for more information.

Other helpful links

• Sign up to our newsletter and resource hub
• Access free lesson plans and guides
• Find our good practice guides for work experience