Students in Cumbria have shared with the Centre for Leadership Performance their thoughts on what makes good ‘work experience’. We’ve also got tips for businesses on how to make the most of hosting young people.
Best things about work experience
‘Having fun and learning new things’
tops the list – which embodies the essence of work experience. Young people want to learn – expand their knowledge, gain experience and acquire new skills. But they also want to enjoy that experience.
They say: ‘Great work experience will help me enhance my employability skills for the future.’
‘Working as a team’.
It is important that young people are treated as part of a motivated and purposeful team within a business – not as outsiders or ‘tourists’.
They say: ‘I want to experience an environment where everyone feels safe to express their opinions, is included and involved.’
‘Meeting new people and being able to work closely with them’.
The people students meet often make the biggest impression by sharing experiences of the workplace. You can’t fake enthusiasm and genuine commitment – and it is contagious.
They say: ‘I enjoyed engaging with people I might not normally get the chance to meet in a friendly team working environment where you all share your ideas and build on them’
‘Make it real’.
Work experience must accurately reflect the normal working environment and it is important provide a broad view of a company’s activities. An engaging work experience allows a candidate to develop and improve skills and provides a genuine insight into workplace scenarios.
They say: ‘I enjoyed being able to actually experience work and having jobs to do.’
‘Not just learning – it should also be about people listening to me.’
Any supportive workplace environment encourages people to contribute to tasks or projects in their own individual and unique way. That freedom encourages students to develop both specific and transferable skills.
They say: ‘I want a supportive environment that allows you to make your own way with things, instead of just micromanaging you.’
Work experience challenges
Research from the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) considers the experience of employers, schools and colleges organising work experience, revealing how challenges can be overcome. https://ise.org.uk/knowledge/insights/265/how_to_overcome_the_challenges_of_organising_work_experience/
ISE’s School Outreach report Forging Stronger Bonds: Redefining Employer-School Engagement for Tomorrow considers how work experience needs to evolve in the dominantly hybrid world of work to ensure quality and authentic experiences, and identifies the challenges?
From across the UK, 91 schools and colleges and 53 student employers were surveyed and asked to score how easy it was to organise work experience. Three quarters of schools and colleges (74%) rated it as difficult or very difficult, with only 2% rating it easy. Employer scores were more positive with 50% rating it difficult or very difficult, and 28% rating it easy.
Common challenges were how students access quality work experiences in a hybrid working environment and how employers deliver authentic work experiences which bring to life the realities of working in a hybrid workplace.
Also, lack of resources and time to invest in work experience, for employer and educators, and difficulties connecting schools and colleges with employers. There was a general feeling of disconnect between demand for work experience and supply of opportunities.
How employers can employers overcome challenges
Get creative – think outside your own box and look at what others are doing well.
Be authentic – it is important that the work experience format is authentic to the realities of the working environment or sector.
Collaborate – if a business can’t offer in-person/traditional work experiences due to role type or sector, collaborate with other employers in similar sectors to deliver an engaging and inspiring experience.
Make it easier –choose a third-party supplier to support access and delivery, or reach out to learn best practice from other companies.
Centre for Leadership Performance programmes including ProjX and Dream Placement offer proven routes to connect businesses with young people, share best practice and deliver meaningful experiences.
