5 reasons students still need work experience at school

Stepping out of the classroom and into the workplace can give students crucial hard and soft skills to help them pursue a career they enjoy.

Research shows that students who complete work experience are more employable and earn higher salaries once they leave school. Despite these benefits, only 49% of year 10 students in the UK reported having done some kind of work experience in the 2023/24 academic year.

For educators, it’s vital to understand that work placements don’t just build skills – they help students discover their future paths.

The benefits of work experience

Here are the top five reasons students still need work experience at school.

A chance to develop practical skills

Whether learning the ins and outs of digital marketing, interacting with customers in the hospitality industry or shadowing doctors in a hospital, work experience equips students with real-life skills they carry forward into the world of work.

Across all types of work environments, students learn essential skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving and time management. Being exposed to different work environments helps them become more flexible and capable of handling new situations.

Many placements also equip students with industry-specific skills, such as coding in IT roles or customer service in retail settings. This gives young people a head-start to building competitive skills, many of which can only be achieved through hands-on experience.

Students can explore career interests

While some students may have their heart set on a certain job from their teen years, many don’t – so work experience allows them to explore a variety of potential career paths.

For example, a student who loves all things media and TV could secure a placement at a broadcaster, and get hands-on experience working on a set. Or maybe you have a STEM whizz in your class who would love to experience a real-life science lab and see if that’s the path for them.

By doing work experience in an area they’re interested in, students can confirm or reconsider career aspirations, and make more informed decisions about further studies or training. It can also ignite new interests in students who aren’t sure what they’d like to do, as placements can spark passion in unexpected areas.

Placements help to build professional confidence

While teachers can help students improve confidence at school, young people also need experience cultivating this confidence in the workplace. In a professional environment, students become comfortable with workplace etiquette, such as participating in meetings, speaking up with their ideas and formal communication.

Teens experience higher levels of accountability and responsibility when handling tasks independently, boosting their sense of achievement. Giving presentations and engaging in customer interactions also improves their confidence in verbal skills.

Even better, work experience placement with mentorship can deliver both positive and constructive feedback to students. This guidance helps them become more resilient, see the value in workplace appraisals, and develop a growth mindset.

Work experience connects education to the real world

How often have you heard students demand “When will we ever use this in real life?” Whether it’s trigonometry or ancient history, students often doubt the relevance of lesson content beyond the classroom.

Work experience gives them the chance to apply the education they receive at school in the real world. For example, knowledge of maths and science is key to pursuing a career in STEM, such as medicine, engineering, or IT. Meanwhile, learning a foreign language opens doors to working abroad or in global organisations, and literacy skills are vital for students interested in journalism or communications roles.

Witnessing these connections first-hand inspires students to engage more deeply with their studies, as they understand their practical value. They also grasp concepts more effectively when they see them in action – such as the power of persuasive writing in marketing materials, or mathematical principles in budget planning.

An experience which enhances employability

In this modern age, young people increasingly need experience to be considered for even entry-level positions. Work placements can be key to securing a first job, as employers can see that they have previous experience of a professional environment.

The Gatsby Benchmark toolkit – a resource to help schools improve the career guidance they give to students – states that “universities and employers are looking for clear evidence that a student has gained a skill that they claim to have and applied it in a work-related context.”

Not to mention, the likelihood of students leaving school with no employment or training programme reduces when they complete work experience.

Undertaking work experience not only helps students build their CVs but also gives them opportunities for professional networking. Young people can make industry contacts that they tap into in the future, and receive references for future job applications. And, work experience exposes students to application procedures and workplace expectations, preparing them for future job hunts.

Work experience - from placement to purpose

Work experience isn’t just a box to tick – it’s the launchpad for lifelong learning and career success. It equips them with sector-specific skills to boost their CVs and helps young people cultivate confidence and aspirations for their future.

Further reading

Discover more ways to prepare your students for the world of work. Read The big debate: Is the significance of oracy in schools just empty words?, How to teach your students emotional regulation, and 7 life skills to practise in the classroom.