Here are ways to gain insight into the workplace and develop the skills to make you stand out when applying for job roles, when it’s proving difficult to find a face to face work experience placement.

These organisations offer free virtual work experience, mentoring programmes or social action opportunities to help you develop the skills commonly looked for by employers, and participating could be a great addition to your CV.

Virtual work experience

• Banking virtual work experience with LifeSkills
  • Register here to explore banking and the skills required fo this industry
  • For young people aged 13+
  • You will get to meet Barclays employees and work on a project connected to banking, as well as learning about skills and developing the core transferable skills that employers need
• Barclays virtual taster courses
  • Register here if you have an interest in banking and want to go on and explore some dedicated roles
  • For young people aged 13+
  • You get the opportunity to cover four roles; Developer, Data Analyst, Operations and Finance, all led by industry professionals
• Broader industry experience through Springpod
  • Register here if you are interested in a different industry, for example Aerospace, Retail, Media, Transport, Nursing
• Speakers for schools
  • Connects you with industry leading employers through an online portal
• The WOW Show
  • Provides insight into the real-life world of work through online films showcasing roles in different industries
• BBC Bitesize 
  • Hear from other people through films and articles in different industries and insight into a day-in-the-life of their roles
• icanbea
  • Take a virtual tour around various businesses to get an idea of what it's like to work there. The 360-degree tours explore different employers using photography, sound and video
• Observe GP
  • This platform is for those aged 16 and over and provides access to a series of videos that showcase the roles of various team members in a doctors surgery
• Brighton and Sussex Medical School
  • Provides 'virtual' work experience course for those looking to apply to medical school. You will be introduced to the NHS before exploring the roles and skill sets of six different medical specialists
• NHS Explore roles
  • Find out information about careers in the health industry

Social Action

From community fundraising to volunteering or campaigning, social action can be a great way of getting involved in meaningful and enriching opportunities to develop skills for the workplace. Not only does social action help the community, it can give you valuable experience to help you get where you want to go in your future.

• #iwill
  • Whether it’s protecting the environment, improving mental health, combating racism, campaigning against period poverty or something completely different, #iwill shows you what you can do to take action and make a difference
• Volunteering matters
  • Find out how you can get involved in delivering high impact volunteer-led solutions across the UK in response to some of the most difficult challenges facing individuals and their communities

Mentoring

Working with a mentor can help you develop your strengths, acknowledge your development areas and discuss important decisions around education and more. A mentor could provide guidance and support that will make you a standout employee and help you showcase yourself to future employers. Mentoring programmes could also help you gain valuable contacts and join networks that may benefit your future.

• Brightside
  • Brightside online mentoring puts you in touch with mentors from a range of professions who can assist you with education and career options. The site also provides information about university life, careers, money and more
• The King’s Trust
  • The King's Trust is a youth charity helping young people to develop the confidence and skills needed to realise their ambitions. Through practical courses and mentors, they support young people to thrive in education, start their careers and launch their own businesses