Preparing for the world of work:
High quality work experience helps young people get ready for the world of work by hosting work experience placements this allows employers to spot promising individuals early.
The government is reforming work experience for school age pupils so that every pupil will have the opportunity to take part in 2 weeks’ worth of work experience during key stages 3 and 4 (Age 11-16).
Two weeks’ worth of work experience should be broken down into:
- one weeks’ worth of work experience activities in years 7 to 9
- one weeks’ worth of work experience placement(s) in years 10 to 11
There is an expectation that schools and colleges will use the updated Gatsby Benchmarks, a framework which drives high quality careers provision. The benchmarks help define high quality Experiences of Workplaces.
Learn more about offering work experience
Work experience how-to guide
See our step-by-step Work Experience Framework.
Work experience framework modules
Explore a range of resources to support and structure meaningful encounters for young people in the workplace.
Explore equalex
The equalex framework plays a vital role in supporting the government's commitment to introduce 10 days' worth of modern work experience for every young person.
Making it meaningful
A meaningful experience will:
- Have a clear purpose, which is shared with the employer and the young person
be underpinned by learning outcomes, e.g. (equalex learning outcomes and objectives framework) that are appropriate to the needs of the young person - Involve extensive two-way interactions between the young person and employees
- Include opportunities for young people to meet a range of different people from the workplace.
- Include opportunities for young people to perform a task set by the employer or to produce a piece of work relevant to that workplace
- Include the employer providing feedback to the young person about their work
be followed by opportunities for the young person to reflect on the insights, knowledge or skills gained through their experience. - The decision on whether to offer experiences of the workplace or work experience is ultimately dependent upon each individual business, it’s capacity and its needs.
Whilst there are considerations for the employer to think about, welcoming students and individuals into the workplace can have many benefits not only to the participants but also to the business and its culture.
The NECA Inclusive Futures Team can support you with more information or guidance, or to develop your Experiences the Workplace.
