Virtual Work Experience

Usually at this time of year, students at Highfields begin preparation for their work experience placements. Scheduled over the summer and in the first week of September. Unfortunately the work experience programme for students has not been able to take place due to COVID-19.

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.

Jacobs Juniors - If you have an eye for detail and enjoy design, the Jacobs Juniors work experience will give you the opportunity to gain virtual work experience with a real, very successful company. You will tasked with designing a coronavirus research facility and will be introduced to a wide range of STEM subjects. 

Halliday Fraser Munroe - This course is suitable for Year 10 and 12 but and it would be very beneficial to have a keen interest in architecture. This is a real company, who are running a fantastic work experience programme online. You will complete 2 tasks including designing a house for a celebrity.    

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 (Internship) - This exciting opportunity will allow you to explore what life is like as a JPMorgan Chase software engineer with their Software Engineering Virtual Internship

Scape - Learning in Lockdown, a virtual work experience programme for students aged 14-15.

KPMG - In this online program, you will get to complete similar work that Graduates do at KPMG. You will learn what it is like working at one of the world’s best data analytics team, and build skills required to excel as a analytics consultant.

Hunter Bevan - A remote virtual work experience with a twist. Suitable for anyone interested in developing their design or marketing skills. Feedback will be given plus a chance to feature on Hunter Bevan's website. 

National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) - An online summer school, designed to provide an introduction to journalism for beginners. A range of topics is covered, including newsgathering, interviewing skills, media law, sports journalism and broadcasting. 

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

IGD - The food and grocery industry is growing, with jobs to suit everyone. IGD is hosting a virtual work experience week to allow students to gain skills and experience to add to their CV, and expand their network, by interacting with industry professionals.

Speakers4Schools - Recently launched, Speakers4schools aims to provide a level playing field by connecting young people to high quality virtual work placements. Register to stay up to date with their latest developments.

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.

Future first - Work experience in the 3rd sector. This virtual work experience week to give an insight into working at a charity like Future First.

Sky VWEX - Wednesday 2nd June, 9am - 4pm - Go behind the scenes at Sky and see what it's like to work at Europe's biggest entertainment brand, this is an opportunity to see the different departments they have from Tech, to TV Production to Customer Service! Learn from leading industry professionals and take part in some projects / workshops designed by Sky.

Career opportunities nationwide in; Business, Technology, Digital Marketing, Finance, Technical Engineering & Customer Services. Open to Year 11 and Sixth Form students. An opportunity to be fast tracked to an in person event at the Sky offices when the time is right and safe to do so.

Click here to apply - Interested students should book on ASAP as very limited spaces. If you have any questions contact: dan.miller@young-professionals.uk

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.