Work 'experience' and skills for the future

Skills and personal qualities

Improving your skills or employability skills can boost your chances of getting a job.

One way of improving your employability skills is by taking part in some work-related learning activities aimed at helping you to learn about the world of work and what employers expect.

For example unpaid internships, student placements or work experience. You can find opportunities on websites like

Or why not contact companies who you are interested in about internships or work placements.

During Year 10 or 11 you might have the chance to take part in work experience where you spend some time in a local workplace carrying out tasks or duties and working with other adults.

What's in it for me?

  • You will start to understand how the skills you’ve learnt at school relate to real working life.
  • You might be able to apply those skills to a working situation.
  • You will learn how to develop the skills employer look for in potential employees.
  • You might have taster sessions of different careers sectors.
  • You might be able to talk to local and national employers.
  • You could be working in teams with a range of different people.
  • You will learn what employers expect from an employee and what you can expect from an employer.

What do employers look for?
Literacy, numeracy and ICT skills are high on the list of skills that employers look for. Other desirable skills include:

  • Communication skills.
  • Personal presentation.
  • Being reliable and punctual.
  • Being motivated and enthusiastic.
  • Able to behave in a professional way – for example working well with others, working safely and using your showing common sense!

Where do I start?
Every school or college will organise things differently. Some will:

  • organise work related learning activities in your school that fit in with your normal timetable and subjects you are taking.
  • arrange activities outside school.
  • use the employability 4 life charter that helps you gather evidence to show that you have a range of employability skills.
  • have list of work placements that you can choose from.

To find out more speak to the work experience co-ordinator in your school or college.