Work experience resources

If you’re looking for opportunities to gain insight into the workplace and develop the skills to make you stand out when applying for job roles, but it’s proving difficult to find a work experience placement at the moment, take a look at the list below. These organisations offer free virtual work experience, mentoring programmes or social action opportunities to help you develop the skills commonly looked for by employers, and participating could be a great addition to your CV.

Virtual work experience

Experiencing working life can help you build confidence and understand how organisations and industries work. You could try some of the organisations below that offer virtual and online work experience resources that can be accessed at home.

• Barclays LifeSkills Online Work Experience - If you're aged 14-19 register on springpod.com to join our programme. You’ll find out more about early careers at Barclays and working in financial services. Throughout the programme, you’ll complete activities and a project to deepen your learning and you will have the opportunity to put your questions to Barclays employees in live webinars.
• LifeSkills virtual work experience – From our Virtual work experience tool, which simulates a day in a digital transformation agency, to learning what a bank does, to exploring a range of different industry jobs and skills, these online resources could help you learn what’s needed in the workplace and the skills you already have.
• The WOW Show – The WOW Show provides insight into the real-life world of work through online films featuring inspirational people and roles within different industries.
• Speakers for schools – By connecting you with industry leading employers through an online portal, Speakers for schools’ Experience programme opens young people’s eyes to the possibilities ahead of them.
• BBC Bitesize – Get advice from people through films and articles in different industries and insight into a day-in-the-life of their roles, even if you’re still deciding what to study, taking exams, planning a career, or just curious about what jobs are out there.
• icanbea – Take a virtual tour around various businesses to get an idea of what it's like to work there. The 360-degree tours explore different employers using photography, sound and video.
• Observe GP – Ever thought about a career in healthcare? This platform is for those aged 16 and over and provides access to a series of videos that showcase the roles of various team members in general practice including a GP, Practice Manager, Receptionist, Advanced Nurse Practitioner and a GP Trainee.
• Brighton and Sussex Medical School – Provides 'virtual' work experience course for those looking to apply to medical school. You will be introduced to the NHS before exploring the roles and skill sets of six different medical specialists and the challenges they may face.
• NHS Explore roles – Find out information about careers in the health industry if you are still in education, thinking about switching your career or already working in health. The platform includes real-life stories and films.
• UK New Artists – As an arts charity, UK New Artists offers you a wide range of opportunities within the creative arts industry including festivals, training programmes and virtual work experience.
• The Industry– Discover everything you need to know about hairdressing, from qualifications needed to where this career can take you – business ownership, global travel, fashion opportunities and so much more.  

Social Action

From community fundraising to volunteering or campaigning, social action can be a great way of getting involved in meaningful and enriching opportunities to develop skills for the workplace. Not only does social action help the community, it can give you valuable experience to help you get where you want to go in your future.

• #iwill – Whether it’s protecting the environment, improving mental health, combating racism, campaigning against period poverty or something completely different, #iwill shows you what you can do to take action and make a difference.
• Volunteering matters – Find out how you can get involved in delivering high impact volunteer-led solutions across the UK in response to some of the most difficult challenges facing individuals and their communities.

Mentoring

Working with a mentor can help you develop your strengths, acknowledge your development areas and discuss important decisions around education and more. A mentor could provide guidance and support that will make you a standout employee and help you showcase yourself to future employers. Mentoring programmes could also help you gain valuable contacts and join networks that may benefit your future.

• Brightside - Brightside online mentoring puts you in touch with mentors from a range of professions who can assist you with education and career options. The site also provides information about university life, careers, money and more.
• The Prince’s Trust - The Prince's Trust is a youth charity helping young people to develop the confidence and skills needed to realise their ambitions. Through practical courses and mentors, they support young people to thrive in education, start their careers and launch their own businesses.

Why not extend your virtual work experience knowledge further by trying one of the resources below? Alternatively, you can visit our virtual work experience hub for more tools and tips.