Many consider the last 12 months to be perhaps the most disadvantaged period for school leavers in decades. This is because of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on schooling, examination, and internships or entry-level jobs in most sectors. About a quarter of young people said their main problem since the pandemic was the negative effect of lockdown protocols on their education.
Since 2010, Speakers for Schools has matched students with employers for internships. Virtual work experience (VWEX) was a relatively recent and unheard-of phenomenon before the pandemic. Thankfully, the recent data from Speakers for Schools gives us insight into how young people and organisations have learned to accommodate constraints during the ‘new standard.’
School work experience reports offer students a first-hand perspective of their desired industry and provide them first-hand with the many skills and life lessons they need to transition from school to the work environment. So let’s get into the details of the report.
Work Experience Placements are on the Rise
There are now 5,890 placements available throughout the UK. 71% of these are now available as online job experience opportunities. These positions are available in a variety of locations around the world.
With 13,624 placements, England has the highest number. Online work experience accounts for 91% of its total placements. There are 6,011 placements in Wales, 6,040 in Northern Ireland, and 6,009 in Scotland. In these areas, virtual work experience placements account for more than 70% of the total.
With over 1,800 job openings in the last year with the construction sector has played a significant role. Companies are seizing this opportunity to offer young learners the most “normal” experience possible since they have been largely unaffected by the lockdown.
During this time, there were a total of 1,335 hospital and healthcare placements. Though this sector was strained during COVID-19, increased participation in the industry has led to more school leavers choosing to participate in work experience placements, and this sector is always able to accept another pair of hands, even though they are remote.
Well-known companies have used this opportunity to work with the brightest young minds. Spotify expanded their placements by +4,168% from their London branch, and by using online job experience, more young people have accessed this than ever before. Cisco Systems and Severn Trent Water, as well as Spotify, increased openings by 525% and 39%, respectively. Most of these placements were available virtually.
Virtual vs In-person Work Experience
During the pandemic, technology has proved to be one of the most essential tools. Many companies have been able to work remotely thanks to the internet, video conferencing, and cloud software. Still, it begs the question of why this recently adapted virtual experience proves to be exceeding the popularity of conventional work experience?
Wider Geographical Reach
If you live outside of the city or lack access to affordable transportation, you miss out on more than just the job experience. Businesses that offer free job experience typically restrict candidate application based on location. If they travel long distances, some may provide expenses and even lodging, but this is not the norm.
However, this comes at an additional expense, and many young people could be discouraged from applying if they are unsure of the opportunities available. Virtual job experience eliminates these obstacles, allowing companies to tap into the minds of people all over the globe. SImultaneously providing young students with access to some of the finest placements possible in their field of study.
Try Before You Buy
It’s standard procedure for those seeking work experience to be given a spot if they appear to be a good candidate and an appropriate opening exists.
This encourages companies to swoop in on high school and university before their rivals do. It’s an excellent opportunity for both the management and the employee to onboard with a spirit of “try before you buy.”
We all wish we could try out a prospective employee or spend a week or two in a new job before committing.
Up-to-Date
Remote work is getting ubiquitous, and it appears that this trend will continue. Virtual work helps young people experience what it’s like to work remotely and to get used to dealing with distractions from home.
This is, therefore, advantageous to companies in terms of potential onboarding experiences. Managers and executives will learn how to instruct and guide recruits remotely. By doing this, they consider what needs to be adjusted to achieve optimal performance, even if their organisations expect new starters in a few days at the beginning of their hiring.
Furthermore, several companies are now looking for long-term employees from everywhere in the world, allowing them to access the best talent possible.
