Work Experience Week: A Simple Guide to Get Started

Work experience week is a one-week school placement. During this time, students leave school for five days and work in a real company.

Most UK schools run it in Year 10 when students are aged 14 or 15. However, some schools also organise a work experience week for Year 12 students. Throughout the week, students step into the workplace. There, they observe how people work, attend meetings, ask questions and sometimes help with small tasks.

The aim is clear. Students see what real jobs look like in practise, rather than just in theory. Year 10 work experience week placements usually focus on exploration. Students test different interests and gain general exposure. In contrast, Year 12 placements often link more closely to future university or career plans.

Above all, the week is not about profit. Instead, it focuses on learning and understanding how the professional world operates.

When Is Work Experience Week?

There is no fixed national date for Work Experience Week in the UK. Each school decides its own schedule. Most placements take place between May and July during the summer term. However, dates vary depending on exam timetables and school planning.

If you search when is work experience week you may see different answers. The same applies to when is work experience week year 10 and when is work experience week year 12.

Typically, Year 10 placements happen before GCSE revision becomes intense. Meanwhile, Year 12 placements are arranged around mock exams and coursework deadlines. To confirm accurate timing, students should speak directly with their school careers adviser.

Who Can Take Part?

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In most cases, students gain work experience at age 15. As a result, many placements fall under work experience for 15-year-olds. These placements come with clear rules. Employers must keep students safe and provide close supervision throughout the week.

Before the placement starts, schools usually check key documents. This includes a risk assessment insurance details and parental consent. Since students are under 16, they also cannot do hazardous work or use dangerous machinery.

If you look up rules for work experience for 15-year-olds, you will see the same message again and again. Safeguarding comes first. Year 12 students often have more flexibility. Even so, employers still need to follow health and safety standards at all times.

How to Find Companies That Offer Work Experience

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Getting a placement is easier when you start early. If you begin a few months ahead, you will have more options.

First, search for companies that offer work experience in your area. Many businesses share details on their website or careers page.

Next, narrow your search. Try companies that offer work experience for year 10 or companies that offer work experience for year 12. Then add your town or city to find local results.

Also, consider small local businesses. Many companies that do year 10 work experience do not advertise online. However, they often say yes if you send a polite email.

When you contact an employer, keep your message clear and professional. Include:

• Your name and year group
• The dates of work experience week
• Your career interest
• A short request for a placement

A well-written email shows maturity and increases the likelihood of a positive reply.

Companies That Do Year 10 Work Experience in London and Other Cities

Where you live affects what you can access. That is why many families search for companies that offer year 10 work experience in London or work experience year 10 London.

London offers placements in finance, law, media, government and technology. Manchester also has strong options, especially in digital roles, healthcare and research. As a result, lab work experience in Manchester is a common search.

When you search for work experience in London or work experience in Manchester, you will often find council lists, education charities and local firms.

Many parents type “Year 10 work experience near me” into search engines when looking for local placements. That makes sense, because shorter travel is safer and easier.

Big brands can look impressive. However, smaller companies often give students more support and more time with staff.

Engineering Business and Legal Placements

Students who already know their interests can choose a placement that matches them. For example, engineering companies that offer work experience suit students who enjoy Maths, Physics and hands-on problem solving.

Business work experience year 10 placements often feel broad. Students may sit in meetings, learn customer service or see how teams run projects. In contrast, business work experience year 12 placements can go deeper and feel more focused.

Legal work experience in London is harder to secure. Many law firms offer insight days instead of a full week. Because of this, students should apply as early as possible. Science students may prefer lab placements. Manchester often has more options because of its hospitals and research centres.

Whenever possible, students should match work experience with future A Level choices. This keeps plans clear and makes later applications stronger.

IBM Work Experience in the UK

Big brands attract a lot of attention. For example, IBM work experience UK searches are common for students interested in tech and innovation.

Many students look up IBM work experience year 10 or IBM work experience year 12. They often hope for a full school placement. However, large companies may focus more on older students through internship schemes.

Work experience at IBM may still be possible in other forms. It can include short events, workshops or virtual insight sessions. Because details change, students should always check the official IBM careers page for the latest options. These opportunities can be competitive. So, it helps to prepare early and keep expectations realistic.

Best Places to Do Work Experience

When thinking about the best places to do work experience, students should focus on learning value, not company prestige. The best companies for work experience usually offer:

• A named person who guides you each day
• A simple plan for what you will do and learn
• Time to ask questions and get real answers
• A chance to see more than one role or team

Companies that do work experience well focus on learning. They do not use students for repetitive tasks. A good placement builds confidence and helps students understand what they want next.

Do You Get Paid for Work Experience?

A frequently asked question is do you get paid for work experience. For most school placements, the answer is no.

Work experience week placements in Year 10 and Year 12 are usually unpaid because schools treat them as learning experiences, not jobs.

Do you get paid for work experience? Year 10 almost always results in unpaid arrangements. The same applies to most Year 12 school placements.

Confusion often comes from internships. Many people ask, “Are internships paid?” or “Are internships paid in the UK?” because internships follow employment law.

Some internships must pay minimum wage, depending on age and responsibilities. However, a short school-organised placement normally remains unpaid. Understanding this distinction prevents misunderstanding.

How to Prepare for Work Experience Week

Preparation changes the whole experience. Before the week starts, students should research the company and learn what it does.

Good habits matter from day one. Arrive on time, dress appropriately and communicate clearly. These basics help you make a strong impression. During the week, students can learn more by:

• Asking about career journeys
• Observing workplace culture
• Taking brief notes
• Requesting feedback

After the placement, take time to reflect. Think about what you enjoyed, what surprised you and what you learned about your strengths.

To keep building on it, you can use BBC Bitesize careers guidance for simple next steps. You can also use National Careers Week resources to explore careers and link them to subject choices. Together, these tools help students make better decisions.

Does Work Experience Help University Applications?

Universities like to see initiative and commitment. They also want to see that you can reflect on what you learned. This matters even more for competitive courses such as medicine, law, engineering and economics.

Work experience helps because it gives you real examples. You can talk about what you saw, what you did and what you learned. That makes your personal statement and interviews more convincing.

It also helps you test your plans. You may feel more confident about a career. Or you may realise it is not the right fit. Work experience week will not guarantee an offer. However, it can make your application stronger and clearer.

Conclusion

Work experience week offers students an early introduction to professional life. While dates vary and placements are usually unpaid, the learning can be long-lasting.

Students who prepare early, communicate professionally and reflect carefully gain the greatest benefit. When approached with purpose, work experience week becomes more than a school requirement. It becomes a practical step toward a future career direction.

An online tutor can help students turn work experience into clearer subject choices and stronger university goals. After the placement, they can reflect on what they enjoyed and what felt challenging, then connect those insights to GCSE or A Level decisions. This makes it easier to choose subjects that match their interests and future plans, which leads to more focused applications.

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