Virtual Work Experience

What is Virtual Work Experience?

Virtual work experience provides young people with the opportunity to gain experience in the workplace, develop their skills, boost their employability and explore new industries and job roles.

It can include any opportunity which provides young people with an insight into what it’s like to work in an industry or job role while at home.  Most virtual work experiences range from half a day to one week, but some may last longer depending on the nature of the work experience. 

Not all virtual work experience is the same. Some are open to everyone and provide a platform for students to discover more about the job, view pre-recorded videos on what it’s like to work with the organisation, go on virtual tours and possibly take part in some live question and answer sessions. Others may require your child to go through an application process and offer regular online meetings with a supervisor, individual project work, networking sessions, training opportunities and video tutorials.

What are the benefits of a Virtual Work Experience placement?

• Virtual work placements are open to everyone and location does not need to be a limiting factor.  This opens many possibilities for you to explore new jobs and industries in areas that may not have been possible under face to face arrangements.
• The majority of virtual work experience placements are generally free, although some employers charge for the opportunity; working from home will also mean you will not have any travel related costs.
• Remote working is likely to be important to many businesses in the future and learning how to conduct business and work online will develop extremely valuable skills for the modern workplace.
• Placements will help you to develop those soft skills that all employers are seeking, such as organisation, time-management and self-motivation.

What is available for me?

As social distancing seems set to remain for the foreseeable future, more and more firms are beginning to provide virtual work experience opportunities to students and young people.  Placements are available across several sectors including accountancy, law, marketing and the veterinary sciences. 

Barclays LifeSkills

This is an excellent website which will help you to develop the skills you need for a better future wherever your career takes you.  Click on the link below to find out more:

iCould

As part of the Education and Employers charity, the icould.com platform helps draw links between school subjects and jobs. It encourages you to discover opportunities you may not have known about before.  It shows what is possible in the world of work.  The site features over 1000 videos of real people talking about their careers – explaining their job role, career path and how different factors have shaped their choices.  Click on the link below to look to check out this brilliant resource:

Please click on the sector which interest you most to access more information on the opportunities available to you:

Hair and Beauty

Retail

Health & Social Care

Business and Finance