Work Experience
Why We Do It
Work experience is beneficial to practices and organisations as well as to the individual. From a business perspective, offering work placements provides the opportunities for individuals to experience what it’s like to work in primary care which in turn encourages engagement and development of the future workforce.
From an individual perspective work experience should be meaningful; either broadening understanding of the job role, providing the opportunity for developing transferrable skills, or carrying out “real work” projects for employers which can be used for future applications for vacancies.
Widening participation to schools and providing opportunities to those who may not consider a career in the medical profession is essential to be able to grow our own workforce.
Types of work experience
School age (Year 10 Age 14-15)
A large number of secondary schools run a work experience programme for Year 10 students over the course of a week. This is generally in July, but a few schools run programmes in March and June.
College (Year 11/12 Age 16-18)
Post 16 college courses will also require work experience weeks where the individual will need to be placed with a practice.
Work Placements
These can vary in length and can be anything from 2-3 days to a 3-6 month placement. This includes work experience placements for those looking to return to practice and interested in a change of career.
Promoting Careers in Health & Care
Schools are always keen to hear from volunteers in medical and healthcare professions as part of their careers offer. Some secondary schools run specific aspiring medics groups who are always looking for volunteers. If you are interested in supporting to promote careers in health and care then please contact us and we can work to connect you with schools and opportunities.
Job Fairs
Future job fairs will be listed here.
Work Experience – Guidance for Practices
We are creating a Work Experience Guide for Practices which we hope will provide useful information on all aspects of work placement, and how to ensure the best opportunity while hosting somebody on a placement. This will include key considerations practices will need to have in place, such as induction, confidentiality agreement, structured work placement programme and how you can access further support.
The RCGP has some helpful guidance and resources to support practices.