WORK-LIKE
WHAT IS WORK-LIKE?
A structured programme of one-day simulated work experiences delivered on school premises by qualified industry professionals to groups from Years 7-8, 8-9 and 10-11.
Participating pupils form into teams, taking on roles and responsibilities that require them to think, behave and talk like professionals.
They learn job-specific skills, industry-specific language and concepts and how to become employable, including developing their research, communication and presentation skills.
Most activities are paper-based. A small number involve using a shared device to enable a digital element, including online forms for reflections.
Inclusive, meaningful, inspiring, challenging, eye-opening and rewarding for participants and invaluable for employers’ recruitment teams.
We focus on 12 common career options:
Human Resources & People Management
Procurement & Supplier Management
Operations & Logistics
Sales & Business Development
Customer Service & Account Management
Creative, Design & Content Production
Data, Research & Business Intelligence
Finance & Business Management
Legal, Compliance & Risk Management
Product Development & Innovation
IT Management: Systems, Networks & Services
Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility
HOW IS THE DAY STRUCTURED?
Groups of pupils become a management team for the day. They must face a realistic challenge, deal with problems and, ultimately, account for their decisions.
Activities are built around a fictional business. We test their knowledge and surface competencies. They apply existing and new-found skills and improve their self-awareness.
As part of its CSR activities, a domain expert from a sponsoring company, guides facilitates and monitors the teams and provides structured feedback.
Our scenarios are flexible and can be adapted to different industries without changing the fundamental structure of the day. A construction company, a retailer, a technology business or a film production company all have to manage people, money, customers, deadlines and risk.
Interspersed with the tasks, challenges and exercises are four general information sessions: People & Culture, Business, Legal & Regulatory, and Technology, which are tailored appropriately to each of the 12 options we cater for and designed to further increase awareness about how businesses work and the employment opportunities on offer.
WHAT ARE THE INTENDED OUTCOMES?
The purpose of Work-Like is to not only allow school pupils to experience, without consequences, what it is really like to be at work, but to assist them with their course and career choices.
Realistic exposure to the rhythms and pressures of a workplace is stimulating and can help to avoid costly course and career choice mistakes.
It also helps young entrepreneurs find their specific area of interest and, even at this early stage, their specialism.
Ultimately, this is about employability, and so-called ‘soft’ skills and professional skills are as important, if not more so, than specific skills, capabilities and talents.
Employers want their early careers recruits to be adaptable, resilient, dependable team players, not entirely raw material who they have to manage, shape and train.
Slotting straight in as a valuable team member should be the goal of everybody leaving school, further education or higher education to enter the world of work.
Contact us by telephone or email or connect to us online
Alternatively, please use the form