Virtual Work Experience
Virtual Work Experience (VWEX) is an alternative which can provide the opportunity for students to gain experience in the workplace, develop their skills, boost their employability and explore new industries and job roles. We are encouraging students from Years 10 to 13 to explore these pages and to sign up for a meaningful VWEX over the summer holidays. Alternatively, students can arrange a real Work Experience placement over the summer that would be even more worthwhile.
Students who take part in any Work Experience placement should inform the CEIAG team by emailing careers@hswv.co.uk with details of the VWEX, including the business, dates and what is involved.
The benefits of VWEX
Virtual work placements are open to everyone and location does not need to be a limiting factor. This opens many possibilities for students to explore new jobs and industries in areas that may not have been possible under face to face arrangements. The majority of virtual work experience placements are free, although some employers charge for the opportunity. Working from home will also mean no travel costs.
Remote working is likely to be important to many businesses in the future and learning how to conduct business and work online will develop extremely valuable skills for the modern workplace.
It’s not always easy working from home and taking part in virtual work experience placements will help students develop those transferable soft skills that all employers are seeking, such as organisation, time-management and self-motivation. Understanding what a job or a career entails might help students make decisions about whether or not that role is right for them in the future.
Please find below links to a variety of different VWEX opportunities. Some last for a day or two, whereas others may cover a week or more. There are VWEX programmes for individuals or whole groups and opportunities in a wide range of job sectors.
Medic Mentor University Hospitals Birmingham Virtual Work Experience - The Queen Elizabeth Hospital has partnered with Medic Mentor, the UK’s largest medical family, to provide free live virtual work experience to any student in the UK wanting to become a doctor, dentist or vet. This work experience programme is completely unique because unlike other virtual work experience programmes, it is LIVE, using high fidelity simulation in the best state-of-the-art-simulation centre in the country, at the QE Hospital in Birmingham. Follow 3 patients over a 6-month period as they go from diagnosis, to treatment and follow up, that is provided by real doctors and a multidisciplinary team. As a student, you will be able to ask any of the doctors questions about what you see.
Brighton and Sussex Medical School – becoming a Doctor - Have you thought about maybe becoming a Doctor or studying medicine? Work experience is an incredibly important part of this and it is essential that you start preparing yourself early. Brighton and Sussex Medical School have put together a wonderful opportunity for all who are considering medicine to gain some valuable work experience with them.
Observe GP: Virtual Medical Work Experience - Observe GP is an initiative which was set up by the Royal College of General Practitioners which is a professional body within the UK for GPs. Observe GP is a free system that was created for the purpose of giving every medical applicant a fair chance at gaining work experience.
Childcare - The NurseryVue app builds learner confidence and prepares them for work experience by exploring childcare health and safety issues and solutions from the comfort of their own learning environment.
Sheffield teaching hospitals - This resource contains information on a variety of job roles within the NHS, both clinical and non-clinical.
Forage Job Simulations - Find the perfect job simulation or short course to build your skills and get noticed by recruiters.
iDEA - The Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award, known as iDEA, is an international programme that helps you develop and demonstrate your digital, enterprise and employability skills for free.
Forensic Science and Fingerprints - How do Forensic Scientists operate? What is involved in using fingerprints as evidence. This course will introduce to the basic principles of forensic science in the working world.
Veterinary Professions - Learn what it takes to become a vet and explore the challenges of the vet profession to decide if it's the right career for you.
Software engineering JP Morgan - This exciting opportunity will allow you to explore what life is like as a JPMorgan Chase software engineer with their Software Engineering Virtual Work Experience.
White & Case LLP - This virtual programme allows students to gain first-hand insight into life as a White & Case lawyer and experience the realities of cross-border law.
The Lawyer Portal - A list of law firms offering virtual work experience.
Jacksons Law - An opportunity to win a practice interview.
Linklaters - Free programme of virtual experiences.
Kennedys Law - These training programmes are designed to develop lawyers who will be the future of Kennedys Law Firm.
Pinset Masons - A virtual programme that gives students the opportunity to see behind the scenes of Pinsent Masons. Take part in their Vacation Placement programme, which allows you to ‘try before you buy’.
National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) - For those who have decided that journalism is the career for them, exposure to a working newsroom can have many benefits.
PWC -The programme combines both live and pre-recorded sessions which will provide you with an insight into PwC and an opportunity to develop your employability skills. You’ll also have the chance to engage with a range of PwC ambassadors through the interactive live sessions, whilst having the flexibility to watch and listen to the recorded sessions at a time best suited to you each week.
Forage - An open-access platform designed to unlock exciting careers for students. Virtual Work Experience Programs built and endorsed by leading companies. A series of resources and tasks designed to simulate the real-world experience of starting a career. Examples are Linklaters for Law and Goldman Sachs Engineering
Futures For All - A charity dedicated to helping young people aged 11 to 19 explore careers, gain work experience, and access opportunities regardless of their background. Free access to our Work Experience and Speakers for Schools programmes. Through our online platform, you’ll find inspiring in-person and virtual work experience placements with hundreds of reputable employers across the UK, as well as access to motivational talks with industry insights. These activities are designed to help you understand different types of careers, develop key skills, build self-belief, and become work-ready.
Barclays Life Skills - You’ll get to see the inner workings of a ‘digital transformation’ agency, and actively work with different departments on one exciting project, helping them solve problems and complete real-life tasks.
Young Professionals - Young Professionals is dedicated to supporting students through their career journeys, providing them with the opportunities they need to thrive, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Apprenticeships and Work Experience Search tool.
Careers and enterprise resource directory - From supporting your strategic planning, to embedding careers within the curriculum, simply use the filters on the webpage to quickly search for what you’re looking for.
Unifrog - Our platform helps students with the whole progression process - from exploring their interests, to recording the great things they've done, to finding education and training opportunities, to drafting their applications. Unifrog also helps teachers and counsellors to manage the process - from delivering engaging lessons using our off-the-shelf teaching resources, to tracking careers interactions, to drafting References, to submitting applications