One sixth former’s experience with Medical Supermarket is an example of what can be achieved with a positive approach to bridging the gap between young people and the workplace.
Two thirds of employers value work experience as a critical or significant factor when hiring, but only 38% of employers actually offer it, according to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
Stories of successful work placements can go a long way to encouraging more businesses to offer their own placements, so read all about one success story and then give your own views on work placements in our quick poll at the end.
During October’s school half term, Ashleigh Stent, a sixth form student at the John Colet School in Wendover joined the team at Medical Supermarket for a week’s work experience.
Nick Coleman, Co Founder and Director of Medical Supermarket, told Ashleigh the story of how he and his partner Udhi Silva got the business up and running and gave her an insight into the range if roles needed to ensure the business runs effectively.
Ashleigh was keen to soak up as much information as possible so she quizzed Nick and Udhi on why they took the time and effort to offer her a work placement. Their responses will hopefully act as a starting pistol for employers that have yet to offer a placement of their own.
Ashleigh: Why did you offer the work placement?
Nick: We want to teach young people business skills that they can put to good use throughout their careers. We also get an element of pride out of it as we are able to show our own achievements, which hopefully act as an inspiration to the young people we take on.
Ashleigh: What does your business get out of offering work placements?
Nick: Our staff feel a great motivation to share what they themselves have achieved, plus we get a fresh perspective from outside of the business.
Ashleigh: How did you ensure the work placement was going to be beneficial to me?
Nick: I put myself in my own shoes. My work experience lasted for two weeks and was boring and monotonous. I wanted something different for those that join us.
I wanted to show off every part of the business and allow you the opportunity to actually do the job that we do here. This gives you a glimpse of the whole work spectrum and meant we could offer you the chance to focus on one department you had a particular interest in.
And what did Ashleigh get out of her work placement?
“Being able to see all of the elements of the business allowed me to make sense of how a business works, with all the different people, skills and ideas required to make it work so well.
“More than that, it completely got rid of any of my preconceived ideas about business environments being static, isolated or boring. It was wonderful to be a part of such a dynamic, welcoming and exciting work environment.
“It has definitely opened up more avenues for me in the future as I realise the most important element of work has to be the environment that you are in, then choosing a role that allows you to play to your strengths.”
Work placements survey
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Opps in Bucks – the bridge between young people and work
Opps in Bucks is the go-to place for education and business links in Buckinghamshire. Contact the team for information on offering a work placement or other opportunity to a young person in Buckinghamshire: info@oppsinbucks.org.
