Work Experience & Volunteering

Work experience is vital for becoming work-ready. It allows you to learn new skills, explore an industry by spending time in the workplace, and discover local training and support providers that can help you find new opportunities.

There are several types of work experience, including:

1. Work Experience: Short-term placements that give a taste of the working world. These can last from a few days to a few weeks.
2. Placements: Longer-term opportunities, often part of a course or a more structured programme, where you work with a business for several months.
3. Internships: Typically offered during the summer or as part of a degree programme. Internships provide access to a specific role or industry related to your study. Your college or university’s career service can help identify opportunities.
4. Volunteering: Opportunities to contribute to community projects or non-profit organisations, gaining skills and experience in the process. Volunteering can also help build confidence and rediscover skills if you’ve been out of work.

Virtual work experience takes place online, and you work remotely through your computer or other device. To do virtual work experience you need a good internet connection and device.

Virtual work experience may include:

• Virtual tours of the company
• Watching videos about what its like to work in a job or industry
• Question and answer sessions with the employer
• Being given work to complete
• Attending online meetings
• Training opportunities

Hybrid placements are a combination of in-person and virtual and in-person.

Visit Careers Wales to find out more.

If you are aged 16-19 and not in work or education, you can get support to access work experience and paid opportunities through the Jobs Growth Wales + programme.

Find out more about JGW+