Value of work experience

All secondary schools are familiar with traditional work experience. This is an entitlement for all young people which involves a placement in a business or other organisation and is generally undertaken in S4.

This sort of placement provides a unique opportunity for young people to gain a better understanding and knowledge of what goes on in a business and what individual employees do in their jobs. It allows them to interact with adults in a professional capacity and to operate independently in a grown-up environment. It provides valuable insights into work practices and cultures and helps young people develop some of the knowledge, skills, behaviours and capabilities that will help them progress into further learning, training and employment.

Importantly, it’s also an opportunity for young people to find out more about themselves - how they react in different situations, how they apply themselves to set tasks, how they respond to working as part of a team and also on their own, and how effectively they communicate their needs and feelings to work colleagues. It can play an important part in helping young people think about their own career goals and aspirations.

Although all children and young people are now benefiting from experiences of the world of work through the activity being developed under Determined to Succeed, there’s nothing quite like a work placement for bringing learning to life. However, a work placement can be a daunting experience, especially for those who have had little experience of the world of work or of what they perceive as an adult environment.

Virtual Work Experience aims to enhance and support that experience - not to replace it - by allowing pupils to experience a range of workplaces via their computer, in schools, in other learning centres or at home.