Workplace Visits enable students to visit places of work in their local area, experience the work environment and have meaningful interactions with employees.
Workplace visits are an exciting way for students to gain insight into the world of work through a school trip to feel inspired by dynamic working environments and imagine themselves in the working world.
The following format for this Encounter is well-researched and proven to have high impact.
Activity
Introduction to the business leader
Career journey
Introduction to company:
History of the company
What they do
Panel of speakers from various areas of the business
A tour of the offices
Summation, closing remarks and thanks
What is the impact of a Workplace Visit?
The Gatsby Foundation ‘Good Career Guidance’ Report states that, by the age of 16, every pupil should have had at least one experience of the workplace, in addition to any part-time jobs they may have. Research also highlights that school trips to workplaces provide a “critical understanding of the world of work and the vocational relevance of education” - Hatcher and Le Gallais 2008. Furthermore, Workplace Visits are held in high regard by pupils. The B-Live 2010 Survey of 333 teenagers for Deloitte found that 62 per cent of respondents wanted their school or college to provide more field trips to workplaces.
Workplace visits: these can involve individual pupils or groups, and are intended – as one pupil put it – “to help us have a better understanding of the real world.” These can be ad hoc, arranged by teachers in response to a pupil’s interests. For example, one pupil with an interest in politics recalled attending a meeting with the Deputy Mayor and MPs to discuss Doncaster’s response to Brexit.
We talk with them, they talk to us. They talk to us about what it is they want to do…. The lack of ambition [in Doncaster] is well documented, [but] when you talk to our kids, it just feels like the world is their oyster really. Gwyn ap Harri, CEO, XP School.
They are working with an adult who is not a teacher and not their parent, who they’ll meet at the workplace, at school, or in a neutral venue Lorraine Lawson, Brokerage Manager, Camden Learning.
Finally, we know that Workplace Visits are highly regarded by educators like you! A 2017 research survey conducted by the Education and Employers’ Taskforce identified Workplace Visits as being in the Top Five Most Effective Interventions as rated by teachers.
This encounter will help and support you to meet the following Gatsby Benchmarks:
Benchmark 1: A stable careers programme
Our digital platform enables time-poor educators to create a structured careers programme quickly and simply. We provide educators with clear guidance on the types of events they can book and, using smart algorithms, make recommendations on which speakers and volunteers will have the most impact.
Benchmark 3: Addressing the needs of each pupil
With our advanced filtering system, we put control of the student-employer encounter firmly in the hands of the educator, ensuring they can select speakers and workplace visits which are best suited to inspire their students. Educators can filter by industry, gender, race, company revenue and growth.
Benchmark 5: Encounters with employers and employees
Our service connects children and young people directly with business leaders from their local communities. Our digital platform recommends a varied programme of careers encounters including career talks, speed mentoring, enterprise activities and workplace visits, all of which can be booked instantly through our platform.
Benchmark 6: Experiences of workplaces
We provide you with the tools to be able to book workplace visits quickly and safely, enabling students to experience and immerse themselves into different sectors. Students gain first hand understanding and insights into different workplaces and the pathways of getting there.
Benchmark 7: Encounters with further and higher education
We enable educators to connect with a wide range of employers and employees who can speak to young people about their career path. By providing a diverse perspective on how they have approached their careers, students will be able to understand the different academic and vocational routes that are available to them.
In 2019 we commissioned research to be completed looking at how we can make Careers Education age appropriate.
From our research we found that this encounter type is most appropriate for the development of young people from 11 and up. Older pupils approaching decisions about post-16 or post-18 education and training participate in workshops targeting specific career readiness skills.
