There is a hidden jobs market out there – an esimated 75% of all jobs that are never advertised anywhere. So most job seekers access opportunities through clubs, networks or ogranisations of one kind or another.
Interesting article on “Whisper Networks” – see HERE
Organisations that can help
Investin.org ( for 12 – 18 year olds. Expensive but good).
More about Internships
Please see HERE for guidance and opportunities.
It is more challenging to get internships nowadays. However, remote/virtual internships can also be valuable opportunities to get exposure, experience and access to opportunities. And there are many out there – for anyone and everyone who wants one.
More about virtual internships
Please see HERE for guidance and opportunities.
Believe it or not, there is an unlimited number of places on the innovative BRIGHT Network virtual internship programme which provides experiences in eight different sectors. All students or recent graduates 18+ who want an internship experience should be able to get one – see HERE (different application deadlines in June and July for different sectors).
See Forage for other free virtual internships for young people aged 16+. – over 300 jobs simulations with 125 employers.
See other Remote internship programmes
More about work experience
See HERE for guidance and opportunities
T Levels for 16 – 19 year olds also include work experience – see HERE
Vocational Technical Qualifications for young people 16 + may also include work experience (TBC) and may open doors to apprenticeships – see HERE
More about virtual work experience
Valuable virtual work experience and exposure are freely available to all young people aged 13+
Find out about virtual work experience HERE
A Parent’s Guide to virtual work experience
https://www.theparentsguideto.co.uk/post/virtual-work-experience
Springpod – for young people 13+.
Destination STEM offers research work experience for students 16+
Find your own work abroad summer work experiences
To volunteer/work abroad, check this out as well – see HERE
For free virtual work experience in Life Sciences, see HERE
https://barclayslifeskills.com/i-want-virtual-work-experience/school/work-experience-resources (young people 13+)
Apprenticeships
Volunteering
A valuable way for young people 14+ to access work experience and build employability skills. See HERE for guidance and opportunities.
Learning excel, digital marketing, e-commerce, graphic design, bookkeeping, AI or other business skills (can all be learned for free online) would make a young person attractive to charities or small businesses.
GOV.UK Skills For Life for Adults 19+
Government-funded upskilling opportunities are available to all adults – from free careers advice and short courses, to advanced qualifications and on-the-job training. This includes online learning options and free essential skills courses in numeracy, literacy, digital skills, sector-specific qualifications, and Skills Bootcamps.
Find out more at: www.gov.uk/skillsforlife
Other pathways to jobs
- The World Economic Forum provides free cybersecurity training combined with support to access jobs HERE
- Trailhead is a free online learning platform created by Salesforce that empowers anyone to learn in-demand skills that lead to t jobs – explore HERE
- Remarkably, Reed & Co offers training for in-demand jobs with job placement guarantees.
Skills Bootcamps
Skills Bootcamps are a great way to bridge university and the world of work, and to combine reskilling with work experience. Some examples:
The Government is supporting a large number of Skills Boot Camps across the UK. These are flexible training courses lasting up to 16 weeks. They are fully government-funded (free for eligible individual learners) and designed to give you in-demand, practical skills with a guaranteed job interview upon completion. They are available to graduates, non-graduates, the employed, the self-employed, the recently unemployed or those who want to return to work after a career break. They promise to support and fast-track learners into careers in high growth sectors. Find Skills Bootcamps in London HERE or across the UK HERE
General Assembly – expensive but very good (we think)
Generation.org also provides FREE boot camps.
Tuition-free peer-led courses, see Founders and Coders
Over 50s
GOV.UK’s guidance for over 50s seeking employment can be found HERE
1.National Careers Service Midlife MOT – https://www.yourpension.gov.uk/mid-life-mot/. Also Look at this resource from Unionlearn /TUC – Mid-life Development – identify transferable skills and find new opportunities – https://www.unionlearn.org.uk/supporting-mid-life-development
2.Restless – https://restless.co.uk/
3.WISEAGE – https://wiseage.org.uk/
4..Accessing Experience – https://ways2work.org.uk/accessing-experience-employment-programme-for-over-50s/
5.Age UK – https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/work-learning/
6..ACAS (free legal advice) – https://www.acas.org.uk/
7..Business in the Community Age Taskforce – https://www.bitc.org.uk/age-taskforce/
8. Trades are a popular choice for reskillers over 50 – see HERE
9. Start-Up School for Seniors is an organisation providing FREE help for 8 weeks to older people starting their own businesses. The Telegraph October 1, 2021 claim that 35% start making money before the 8 weeks are up – see HERE. Also check out the Rebel Business School – how to set up and run a business without money
10. 55/Redefined is another great website with guidance and opportunities for over 50s – see HERE
11. Jobs/Redefined – to find age inclusive employers – see HERE
Gigs for Over 50s
Talent Talks (word on “the street” is that his is one of the best!)
Casting Collective
Universal Extras
Piece of Cake
Bettys and Dudes
Rachel’s People
Entrepreneurship
Setting up and running your own business or “side hustle” can also provide valuable work experience. Search for the short online entrepreneurship courses in the UK Government’s Skills Toolkit and the short online courses in the Digital Business Academy
Start Up School for Seniors is an organisation providing FREE help for 8 weeks to older people starting their own business. The Telegraph October 1, 2021 claim that 35% start making money before the 8 weeks are up – see HERE
Also check out the Rebel Business School – how to set up and run a business without money
Remote Jobs
Careers Advice
Have a look at this article: The Right and Wrong Way to Ask for Career Advice
Jonathan Black is the director of the University of Oxford’s Career Service. Have a look at his career advice HERE
Have a look at the very useful Squiggley Careers Podcasts HERE
Useful short courses on getting work experience, internships and jobs
Consider doing this free Open University online course to discover how to get internships and work experience – see HERE and/or the free Future Learn course on How to Get a Graduate Job
Other
See Organisations Helping Londoners Upskill, Find Work Experience and Jobs (To be updated)
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