Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (BTVLEP), through its Buckinghamshire Skills and Employability Programme, is supporting National Work Experience Week (10-14 October) by promoting the importance of work experience to young people in Buckinghamshire and the benefits to local businesses with the launch of a new website - www.wannabebucks.org.

National Work Experience Week aims to get people talking about the benefits of work experience, whilst giving employers an opportunity to provide some real work experience.  The WANNABE Bucks website aims to complement this by providing extensive information, guidance, a ‘careerometer’ tool and work experience opportunities for young people in Buckinghamshire.

Benefits for both parties

Jackie Campbell, Skills Development Manager at BTVLEP, said: “Work experience is essential for young people to gain experience of the work place and gain greater understanding of specific jobs and industry sectors. For businesses it is an opportunity to connect to tomorrow’s workforce, to raise the profile of their business and its opportunities, and gain an extra pair of hands for a particular project.”

Jackie added: “Our new student facing website, WANNABE, provides a platform for businesses to advertise work experience, apprenticeship and job opportunities to students, enabling them to reach young motivated people who can bring energy, enthusiasm and fresh ideas to their business.”

Employers increasingly expect job applicants to have experience and professional skills as well as good qualifications. From around Year 10 onwards young people should take any opportunity they can to start to develop their competencies by building a portfolio of work experience.

It is important for young people to do work experience in order to:

• develop transferable skills, such as communication and team working;
• understand how organisations work or bringing a job they have read about to life;
• build confidence in interacting with adults;
• confirm interest in a career or (equally useful!) deciding it is not for them;
• get a foot in the door - if they impress the employer they may be asked back on a more formal arrangement such as an internship or graduate scheme or encouraged to apply when vacancies arise, and;
• provide valuable content for a UCAS personal statement, to give evidence of an interest in a particular subject/occupation.

National Careers Service adviser Victoria Matthews said: “The rewards and benefits of work experience are real. Besides the skills work experience candidates will bring to an organisation, they can learn more skills by working with other people and benefiting from their experience.”

Victoria added: “The organisation they do their work experience with might also be able to help them to improve and develop their talents too – so both the employer and person benefit. Work experience gives people the opportunity to understand how organisations work. And at the same time they’ll be developing their confidence and ability to work with others. Work experience can make people think about a fresh career path for their future."

Real world example of work experience benefits

Bucks University Technical College student, Natalia Paszkiewicz, has first-hand experience of the benefits of gaining work experience when she worked on a real client project for BeSeen Marketing Ltd, based in Beaconsfield. Speaking of the experience, Natalia said: “Being in a working environment has enhanced my confidence, my communication skills and my vocational knowledge.”

As a result of her work experience program, Natalia feels that she has been able to submit a strong UCAS personal statement and write a compelling CV full of relevant experience and skills.

It is not just students who benefit from the experience. Chris Bantock, Managing Director at BeSeen Marketing, said: “This experience has proved that partnership between industry and education can provide real value to both parties, a real win-win for everyone involved.”

Employers - get in touch to promote your opportunities!

The Bucks Skills team are always looking for new work experience opportunities from employers, so please go get in touch with Jackie (jackie@btvlep.co.uk) or submit your work experience opportunity via www.oppsinbucks.org/i-am-ready-to-get-involved.                                                             

The Buckinghamshire Skills and Employability Programme, which has at its heart improved engagement with employers by skills and education providers, is focused on inspiring young people and helping them understand the relevance of their education. A key element is bridging the gap between young people and employers. The Buckinghamshire Skills Hub is highly instrumental in helping local businesses reach students and help prepare them for the fast-changing world of work.

For further information please go to www.oppsinbucks.org.