Work experience is a vital part of secondary education in the UK and is often a compulsory element of the school curriculum. Typically taking place in Year 10, and again optionally in Year 12, work experience placements give students the chance to step outside the classroom and into the real world of work. These short-term opportunities help young people develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management, while also allowing them to explore potential career paths and make informed choices about their futures. Whether it's a week in an office, a hospital, or a creative studio, work experience builds confidence and enhances employability – all before students even leave school.
In this article, we'll cover:
- When and how work experience usually takes place
- What types of placements are available and how to find them
- Whether Year 10 or Year 12 work experience is paid
- What to expect during your placement
- Tips for making the most of your experience
Year 10 Work Experience
A Year 10 work experience placement refers to a period of work-based learning that takes place during the final year of GCSE education, when students are approximately 14 to 15 years old.
There are roughly 800,000 students in year 10 in the UK.
This work experience placement is designed to give students a taste of the world of work and help them develop employability skills, explore potential career paths, and gain insight into different industries and workplaces.
During a Year 10 work experience placement, students spend a week or two working with an employer in a professional setting, such as a company, organisation, or business. The placement may be arranged by the school in collaboration with local businesses and employers, or students may have the opportunity to secure their own placements, so they can potentially find somewhere they may be interested in working in the future. If you have an interest in mechanical engineering, for instance, you may go out and find a company working in this field.
The specific tasks and activities that students undertake during their Year 10 work experience placement can vary depending on the industry, employer, and individual interests. Students may have the opportunity to shadow employees, assist with tasks and projects, observe day-to-day operations, and learn about different roles and responsibilities within the organisation. The aim is to provide students with practical experience, exposure to the workplace environment, and an opportunity to apply classroom learning in the world of work.
Do You Get Paid for Work Experience in Year 10?
Most Year 10 work experience placements are unpaid, as their main purpose is to give students a taste of the working world rather than offer paid employment. These short-term placements, typically lasting one to two weeks, provide a valuable foundation for personal and professional development. They allow students to:
While you won’t usually receive a wage, some employers may offer to cover travel or lunch expenses as a goodwill gesture. Ultimately, the real benefit lies in the experience, the connections made, and the foundation it provides for future educational and career decisions.
Explore various industries and roles to broaden your options and discover unexpected opportunities that match your interests.
When is Year 10 Work Experience?
The timing of year 10 work experience can vary from one school to the next. In work experience, year 10 students are usually asked to start looking well in advance of a work experience week (or fortnight).
The timing is often toward the end of the school year, and June is the most popular time, but May and March are also quite popular. Every school sets its own time span for work experience, so you’ll need to check at your own school for specifics.
Do You Get Paid For Work Experience in Year 10?
When you find work experience placements as an adult, or when you have left formal schooling, they are not always paid. However, adults have more opportunities to earn on either internships and work experience placements.
In most cases, your year 10 work experience is unpaid. You will be shadowing work and count as a volunteer, and as it is part of your education this means that you are not likely to get paid.
Year 12 is the same in that many of the work experience opportunities may well involve you giving up your time for free.
How to Find Year 10 Work Experience Opportunities?
Most schools will have a system in place so that students can connect to local employers. Within the school there may be long-established work experience connections. It is possible these will be displayed (either physically or virtually) on a jobs board for students to check.
However, work experience opportunities can also involve doing some of the legwork yourself, especially if you have a specific place in mind for undertaking work experience, or a ‘dream’ workplace you want to contact.
Our top tips for finding work experience in year 10 include:
- Begin your search for work experience opportunities well in advance, ideally several months before your planned placement. This allows you to explore a variety of options and secure a placement that aligns with your interests and career goals. A lot of students leave it to the last minute and have to take what is left.
- Research different industries, sectors, and companies that interest you to identify potential work experience opportunities. Explore company websites, online directories, and professional associations to learn about organisations in your area and whether they are open to work experience students.
- Use your existing connections. Reach out to friends, family members, and acquaintances who may have connections to businesses or organisations that offer work experience placements. Networking can help you uncover hidden opportunities and gain referrals or introductions to potential employers.
- Take the initiative to contact employers directly to inquire about work experience opportunities. Write a polite and professional email or letter expressing your interest in gaining work experience and explaining why you are interested in their organisation. Attach your CV or resume to provide more information about yourself.
- Be open to exploring different industries and roles, and don't be discouraged if you encounter setbacks or rejections during your search. Be persistent in your efforts and continue to reach out to potential employers until you find a suitable placement.
Remember that this is probably the first chance to get work experience, but it may not be the last. Year 12 work experience is another chance to spend time working within a business. Additionally, there are loads of work experience opportunities for people when they get to university, such as internships or sandwich years for graduates.
If you don’t choose to go to university, there may also be many different opportunities for you to take on internships and other forms of work experience, which can lead to building skills even further.
For example, apprenticeship programs offer hands-on training and work experience in various industries such as construction, healthcare, IT, and hospitality. Apprentices earn a wage while learning valuable skills and gaining industry-recognised qualifications.
Alternatively, trade schools provide specialized training in specific trades such as plumbing, electrician work, carpentry, and automotive repair. Students gain practical experience through internships or apprenticeships, preparing them for entry-level positions in their chosen field.
Year 12 Work Experience
Year 12 work experience, also known as sixth form or college work experience, typically takes place during the penultimate year of secondary education, when students are around 16 to 17 years old. While both Year 10 and Year 12 work experience aim to provide students with exposure to the world of work and help them develop employability skills, there are some key differences between the two.
In year 12 it is even more important that you look for opportunities that are related to the further education you want to apply for or the specific career path you wish to go into. Year 12 work experience often occurs at a more advanced stage of education, following completion of GCSEs (or equivalent qualifications). As a result, Year 12 students may have a clearer understanding of their academic interests, career aspirations, and preferred areas of study.
Year 12 work experience placements may offer students deeper and more immersive experiences compared to Year 10 placements. Students may have the opportunity to undertake longer placements, engage in more specialised tasks and projects, and develop a deeper understanding of the industry or profession they are exploring.
Year 12 work experience may serve as a stepping stone to higher education or employment, providing students with valuable skills, experiences, and insights that can support their transition to university, apprenticeships, or the workforce.
If you are going to put together a UCAS personal statement for university, your work experience may provide a huge part of the focus of this statement and give you a lot more impressive information to put in that statement and boost your chances of getting into your chosen university.
Working on Your CV and Your Interview Techniques
While work experience in school isn’t mandatory, it is expected that you will go through the process. If you want to get ahead and have the best possible chance to get the work experience placement you are looking for, it is a good idea to brush up on your interview techniques and improve your CV whether you are looking for a year 12 work experience position or a virtual work experience position.
Superprof can connect you to a number of tutors to help you to work on your CV and improve it to the point where it is more impressive to potential employers and work experience placements. Reach out to a tutor today to get started. This can help you to build your confidence before talking to your work experience bosses and to try and secure the very best spot you can. Many of our tutors allow you to take lessons either in-person or online, with some offering the first lesson absolutely free of charge. Find a Superprof tutor in your area today.
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