WITH the school holidays coming up, it’s a great time to get some invaluable work experience under your belt.
With a third of firms saying they prefer to hire candidates who have relevant experience, spending the hols on an internship can make it easier to gain future employment — and it even raises your overall income over a lifetime.
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But finding the right type of work experience isn’t always easy, especially if you don’t live in a big city.
A recent study by social mobility charities The Talent Tap and the Aldridge Foundation found that less than a third of large companies and only one in 20 SMEs offer work experience to youngsters outside their local area.
‘Positive impact on future salary’
But making quality work experience accessible for all, especially those in state schools who may lack professional networks, is essential to the idea of levelling up and increasing social mobility.
Robert Peston, founder of Speakers for Schools, which champions work experience, said: “If delivered effectively, work experience has a significant and positive impact on skills development, employment outcomes and future salary potential.
“Everyone deserves a work experience story regardless of background, who your parents know or what school you go to.”
Work experience can include shadowing someone while they perform their job, as well as short work placements, longer internships, virtual insight days or visits to different workplaces.
While some firms offer work experience from age 13 upwards, most prefer you to be in Year 11 or aged 16, with some running schemes for A-level students.
Here Sunemployment lists our top summer schemes…
EXPLORE BDO: This three-day virtual programme offers an insight into the world of accounting. It’s open to Year 11–13 students who attend a state school and meet the firm’s social mobility criteria. See careers.bdo.co.uk/early-careers.
BRITISH AIRWAYS: Your career can take off with the Speedbird Z hybrid work experience scheme covering engineering, business and airport operations. Learn more at careers.ba.com/work-experience.
McLAREN RACING: Spend a week in one of the supercar firm’s departments, including production, technical, race or marketing. Speed your way to tinyurl. com/389j67ua.
MET OFFICE: Forecasting Your Future offers work experience for 13 to 18-year-olds. See springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/met-office-careers.
LEONARDO: Budding engineers can choose from a day’s overview of the company to a week’s work experience. Learn more at tinyurl.com/2p8y2jxm.
BBC: The national broadcaster is running taster days for 16 and 17-year-olds about to complete Year 12. See tinyurl.com/hbc3k7p7.
‘It can be daunting’
RACHEL Jackson took part in the BDO Explore scheme in 2021 when she was in Year 13 before applying for an apprenticeship there.
The 19-year-old, above, now works as a tax assistant at BDO’s Leeds office.
She said: “It can be daunting when you are nearing the end of your time at school, so I believe more firms should offer targeted programmes such as this.
“Doing work experience is so useful as you get to know the firm and its people before deciding whether it’s somewhere you think you’d enjoy working.
“The Explore BDO programme improved my chances of success at BDO and provided me with skills which could have been used in applying for other apprenticeships.”
Build on life skills
LEARN how to get ahead on National Social Mobility Day, on June 15, when employers and students will be encouraged to #SpeakMore about opportunities for young people.
Naomi Ambrose, CEO of careers guidance charity thetalenttap.com, said: “One in five young people is never offered any form of work experience, so finding it and trying out sectors you are interested in is vital.”
Here she shares her top tips for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to find work experience.
- START EARLY: If a company has a structured work experience programme it will be planned months in advance and could be part of an annual cycle. Start looking online in the New Year for summer schemes.
- MORE IS MORE: The more applications you send out, the more likely you are to get responses. Don’t be put off if you don’t hear back or don’t get accepted, as it is often a numbers game.
- MAKE IT PERSONAL: Individualise each application. Do not go for a blanket approach as companies will see through it.
- CONSIDER WHY YOU WANT TO WORK THERE: Research the company you are applying to and tie in your application with your experience. Think of something you could do that would be beneficial to them.
- GET HANDS DIRTY: Even if you are making tea, it is still a valuable insight into the company culture and the wider industry. Any experience can look good on a CV if you word it correctly.
- MAKE MOST OF IT: Network and be indispensable and memorable. Knowledge is power and contacts are invaluable to your future success.
Struggling to find something suitable? If you don’t have connections or there is nothing near your home, contact charities such as The Talent Tap.
LEARN TO BE PILOT
THE sky’s the limit with a new pilot training scheme from easyJet.
The budget airline is searching for 200 cadets to join its Generation easyJet pilot training programme.
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To aid social mobility, the firm has partnered with aviation youth organisation Fantasy Wings to provide support for more women and young people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds to train.
This includes sponsoring places for students from 50 schools across the country to join the programme.
To apply, go to becomeapilot.easyjet.com.
Join property ladder
COMMERCIAL property developer Landsec has launched a £20million social impact fund to create a fairer and more diverse property industry.
Currently, almost half of property professionals went to private schools, which compares to less than seven per cent of the general population.
The new scheme includes Landsec Futures internships offering young people paid work experience, real estate bursaries of up to £30,000 for students undertaking industry-related courses, plus partnerships with employability charities to get more people of all ages into the industry faster.
Apply at landsec.com/futures.
Jobspot
APPLE and GIRLS INTO ELECTRONICS have a one-day course for female students aged 15-18 at top UK unis.
Find out more at tinyurl.com/3dc3xm9r.
