Dorset Chamber CEO Ian Girling says the new flexible work experience options can ensure ALL young people have equal access to opportunities
It’s the time of year when a new cohort of young people begin to think about their careers and what they may want to do. Work experience can provide a vital first glimpse into the professional world, but for many – especially those from a disadvantaged background – these opportunities remain out of reach if they cannot secure their own placements.
Dorset Chamber is working with the Dorset Careers Hub to make sure this doesn’t happen – all young people in Dorset must have access to a work experience placement opportunity.
Work experience is hugely important for many reasons. It offers young people a first insight in to the world of work, including the skills required, and it helps inform young people regarding future decisions.
It’s also vital in helping to develop those core skills that are so important: confidence and social skills, teamwork, communication and timekeeping. It’s also important in beginning to educate young people on the difference between education and school, and helping make that transition.
For employers it’s an opportunity to give something back and provide a really valuable and important opportunity for a young person. Many employers also look at work experience placements as a way to recruit new and talented young people in to their business.
Traditionally we think of work experience as five days of fairly mundane activities. But we are encouraging and helping employers provide meaningful and fulfilling work experience opportunities – and they don’t need to be five days long. We can help create varied work experience programmes that can include taster days, visits to businesses and undertaking work experience at more than one business for a shorter period. Work experience can now literally be anything from two hours to two weeks.
If you are able to provide a valuable work experience opportunity, please do get in touch with Laura Bush on laura.bush@dorsetchamber.co.uk. Laura can provide you with help on providing a great experience for a young person that’s flexible in terms of format. You can also see more information on our website dorsetchamber.co.uk
You’d be making a huge difference and providing a young person with a great development opportunity that should be there for everyone.
