The new virtual work experience learning programmes, released today (16 July) on UCAS, will give those with a UCAS Hub account the chance to explore career pathways that may have seemed out of reach. The aim is to spark interest, broaden horizons, and to help students make confident choices about their university or college course through tasters of work in a particular field.
UCAS' Project Next Generation report, published earlier this year, explored the decision-making of 13 to 17-year-olds and highlighted the importance of experience and exposure to careers for young people deciding on their next steps. The report found 97% felt direct work experience is essential for getting a place at university, an apprenticeship or a job, yet only 39% of them actually gained any. It also revealed how 46% of young people are considering careers linked to the subjects they enjoy.
The virtual work experiences are with leading employers, such as the NHS, Met Office and The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), and incorporate real workplace activities – from attending a live surgery, to designing a lunar landing module and exploring innovative projects in zero-carbon electricity.
Students who complete the virtual work experience will develop key skills for employment. They will also receive a certificate on completion of the programme, which they can feature on their UCAS personal statements or their CV to highlight their employability skills and readiness for work.
Dave Penney, Chief Marketing Officer at UCAS, said: “At UCAS, we know students are mapping out their futures earlier than ever and we’re thrilled to now offer Springpod’s virtual work experiences to all students with a UCAS Hub account. Importantly, this will help students determine their career interests and aspirations as early as possible.
"The virtual work experiences will also be of benefit to teachers and careers advisers who are supporting students. It aids teachers in overseeing Gatsby benchmark 6, enabling students to get a taste of the workplace and exploring career opportunities.
“This virtual, anywhere, anytime learning experience ensures that no student is left behind, providing equal opportunities to work experience for all. We know that many students struggle to access work experience opportunities due to networks, location, supply, demand or current means and our collaboration with Springpod will be fundamental in further supporting students in making informed decisions about their future.”
Sam Hyams, CEO of Springpod, added: "At Springpod, we are thrilled to partner with UCAS to bring our virtual work experience programmes to every student on the UCAS Hub. This collaboration marks a significant step in our mission to bridge the gap between education and employment, providing students with invaluable opportunities to gain experience and insights into their future careers. Our programmes are designed to be accessible and impactful, empowering students to explore their passions and build the skills they need to succeed in an ever-evolving job market."
Testimonials from students who have used Springpod’s virtual work experiences include:
Natasha, Risk and Control Apprentice at Julius Baer, said: "It was after my experience with Springpod I figured out I had an interest in business and finance. Getting exposure to the industry spiked an interest and since then it has grown tremendously and I’m very passionate about what I do."
Nalani, Early Careers Apprentice in Production Management at BBC, added: “I was encouraged to use Springpod by my college during my A levels due to the lack of work experience through the pandemic. I found it extremely useful and easy to use and it certainly inspired me to consider a career path I never had before. It highlighted that there was a way to put my logistical skills into use in a creative field. It also gave me insight into an industry that was particularly hard to access during Covid; this certainly contributed to me getting to where I am now.”
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About UCAS
UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is an independent charity, and the UK's shared admissions service for higher education.
UCAS’ services support young people making post-18 choices, as well as mature learners, by providing information, advice, and guidance to inspire and facilitate educational progression to university, college, or an apprenticeship.
UCAS manages almost three million applications, from around 700,000 people each year, for full-time undergraduate courses at over 380 universities and colleges across the UK.
UCAS is committed to delivering a first-class service to all our beneficiaries — they're at the heart of everything we do.
About Springpod
Springpod enables young people to try a career or course before they apply. The UK's largest career and university experiential learning provider for young people, Springpod works with multinational companies and universities. We have supported 500,000 school students and enable young people to gain meaningful, high-quality experience through virtual programmes with universities and employers including Airbus, Siemens, Vodafone, Fujitsu, the NHS and many more.
Springpod is used by students at 4,000 schools in the UK, Ireland and the US.