The benefits of work experience to the young people who take part are well understood. Work experience allows young people to gain a greater understanding of the world of work, explore potential job roles and career paths, make more informed choices for their future, develop their skills, and grow their CVs.
Did you know that there are also numerous benefits to employers who offer work experience placements?
Many employers consider work experience to be a drain on their time and resources, viewing it as a favour that they are offering. We think this is completely the wrong way to look at it!
Work experience has minimal financial costs to the employer, as most work experience placements are conducted as part of the school curriculum and are not paid. Some employers choose to offer financial assistance in the form of travel costs and/or meals, which can increase the accessibility of your placements for more potential participants.
Here are six amazing benefits you will gain as an employer from providing work experience opportunities to young people.
Build a talent pipeline
Work experience is a great way to introduce talented young people with an interest in your industry to your organisation. It also allows you to offer them guidance and training, assess their skills and capabilities, and see how they fit into your organisational culture.
This all means that you are building a talent pipeline for the future. If you have a great experience with a work experience student, you might reach out to them next time you have a suitable open job role. And if they have a great experience with you, they will be only too happy to consider working for you in the future.
Gather fresh perspectives and new ideas
Young people often bring a new perspective into the workplace. They might look at problems from a different angle, inject fresh ideas that you would not otherwise have thought of, and even help you tap into new markets.
Take the time to ask your work experience students for their views and input, and then to really listen to what they have to say. They might be new to the world of work, but this can be an advantage as it can allow them to bring in a different perspective and look at things in a new way.
Many students apply for work experience placements because they are passionate about a particular industry and eager to learn. This means that they will bring enthusiasm and energy that can spill over and positively impact your entire team.
Grow your reputation as a great youth employer
Today’s young people have high expectations of their employers and, in a world where numerous organisations are trying to attract and retain top talent, a great reputation as a good youth employer can help you to stand out from the competition.
If a young person has a great experience with you as a work experience student, they are likely to tell their friends, family, and peers. Word will spread and gaining a reputation as an excellent provider of work experience will, in turn, grow your reputation as an organisation that really cares about young people and as a great place for them to work.
Increase staff engagement
Providing work experience placements can also have benefits for your existing staff in the form of offering them opportunities and increasing engagement.
Everyone on your team will benefit from the energy and ideas brought in by work experience students. In doing good for young people in your community, you can improve your employees’ perception of your organisation, which can lead to a boost in morale.
Work experience can also be a great way to offer leadership, management, and mentoring roles to employees you are looking to develop. Why not have an existing promising young employee line-manage your work experience student? They will be able to better relate to the student as a peer, and they will gain valuable management experience that will also help their career.
Raise your profile
In order to recruit work experience students, you will need to build connections with schools, colleges, and other organisations within your local community. This kind of profile raising can help to boost your reputation as well as increase brand awareness, making it easier for you to bring in new customers and recruit great employees.
Boost your CSR profile
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to all the things that companies and organisations do to give back to the world around them. This can include activities as varied as charitable fundraising projects and donations, engaging in eco-friendly or waste reduction initiatives, and taking a stand on important issues.
Providing opportunities for young people, including work experience, can also count towards your CSR goals. It is a tangible way of engaging with your local community and giving back, often with an immediate and measurable positive impact.
Improve Your Youth Employment Practices
If you found this piece useful, you can find lots more advice and insights for employers in the Youth Employment UK membership area! When you join as a Youth Employment UK member, you can gain access to our extensive catalogue of additional resources, exclusive events, and our members-only newsletter. You will also be eligible for entry into the Good Youth Employment Awards and receive a badge to display on your site in recognition of your commitment to the Good Youth Employment Standards.
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