Work experience requires modernising, say employers

• Nearly two-thirds (58%) of business leaders believe that the traditional two-week block of work experience is too time-consuming.   
• Data from the national body for careers education, The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC), finds that more than half (52%) of businesses currently offer work experience, and businesses indicate this could rise to 76% under a new trial of work experience being delivered via shorter, multiple placements throughout secondary school.   
• 68% of businesses say that entry-level candidates are underprepared for the world of work.   

New data from The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC), the national body for careers education, finds that around two-thirds of businesses believe a two-week block of work experience is too time-consuming and offers too little benefit.   

As the government prepares to roll out its manifesto commitment for mandatory work experience for every secondary school pupil, more companies are being urged to offer work experience to meet the growing demand from schools across the country. The statutory duty for schools to ensure work experience for all learners aged 14-16 was removed in 2012. 

The research with 750 business leaders shows that more than half (52%) currently offer work experience. This could rise to more than three-quarters (76%) of businesses if work experience was made more accessible, including for smaller employers. A new trial, run by The Careers & Enterprise Company, is currently being tested with several Mayoral Combined Authorities, employers and multi-academy trusts across the country.   

The trial, which replaces the old model of fixed block placements with two weeks’ worth of short, multiple placements throughout secondary school, is backed by employers. Nearly two-thirds (58%) say it will make it easier for them to offer work experience to students, including half (49%) of those who don’t currently offer it.   

Businesses also say that making it easier to work with schools is crucial, with three-quarters (75%) saying this would make them more likely to offer work experience. Eight in ten businesses see it as a means to attract apprentices and entry-level employees. 

Developing their future workforce, tackling skills shortages, and raising awareness of their sector are all cited as reasons to partner with schools on work experience, while more than seven in ten (71%) business leaders worry that entry-level candidates just don’t know enough about their organisation or industry.   

With nearly 1m young people now not in education, training or employment, the Government’s Skills White Paper emphasises the importance of flexible, high-quality work experience for supporting young people into the labour market and to support skills needs of the future workforce. The Careers & Enterprise Company recently brought together 3,000 employers and educators, including senior leaders from the NHS, Engineering UK, Cisco and KPMG, for a national work experience summit to mobilise industry-wide commitment.   

John Yarham, Chief Executive at The Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “Many of us remember two weeks of photocopying or making endless rounds of tea. That doesn’t work for young people or businesses. Reimagining work experience starts now, with young people now taking part in multiple, shorter, quality placements throughout secondary school, regardless of where they live or who their parents know.   

"Bringing together 3,000 business and educators last week, to propel the concept and reach of work experience beyond its current limitations, was uplifting. The vision that we can start to see emerging will have a greater impact on young people and be more accessible for employers.” 

Cath Burnet, Head of Audit and Opening Doors to Opportunities partner sponsor, at KPMG UK said:  

“The world of work is changing rapidly, and young people need meaningful opportunities to build the confidence and insight required to succeed. Short, purposeful work experience placements provide a genuine understanding of how modern workplaces operate, while giving employers an early view of emerging talent. 

“At KPMG, we’ve seen first-hand how these experiences broaden horizons and help young people connect their strengths to real opportunities. But this only works when businesses collaborate. By opening our doors wider and involving a range of organisations, we can offer young people a clearer picture of what’s possible and, in doing so, strengthen the future workforce.” 

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands said: “This report highlights the need for work experience to be meaningful so that it can give young people a real-world taste of what might end up being their dream job. 

“That’s why I’m working closely with local firms to give young people the skills and opportunities they need to get started in an exciting career and set themselves up for life.  

“And we know that work experience and training helps local firms secure the vital talent they need to grow - it’s why I encourage employers to sign up to my pledge to offer these opportunities. 

“By connecting people to good jobs, we’re not just changing individual lives – we’re strengthening our communities and securing our region’s future prosperity.”     

Ellis Potter, Head of Apprenticeships and Careers, The Priory Federation of Academies Trust said: “These findings reflect exactly what we are seeing on the ground. Young people gain so much more when work experience is flexible, purposeful and built around multiple touchpoints. By adopting the modern work experience approach, we’re able to give every student a more personalised and meaningful set of encounters that genuinely build skills and confidence, and mutually benefit employers. But we can only deliver this if more employers get involved. When businesses open their doors, our students gain a clearer sense of what work really looks like and leave school even more prepared for their future pathways.”