The Real Conversation: talking about work experience

The Real Conversation kicks off this week  when fifty business bosses from top companies in Wales sit down with young people to discuss how to improve work experience.

The joint initiative by the Welsh Assembly Government and Business in the Community, with support from Careers Wales, intends to bridge the gap between the classroom and the world of work through effective, inspiring and meaningful work experience.

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Positive experiences of work can show young people there are many paths to success, enhancing their life and career aspirations."

 

Leading business leaders will quiz pupils from schools and training providers around South Wales on what they want from work experience, talk about their own experiences of work and the skills needed by business.

Young people will have the opportunity to talk about what they want to learn and how – whether they want a generic taster of work or something more specific to help inform future career paths.

The event, on Tuesday March 15 at Cardiff City Stadium, is the first in a series of similar events planned around Wales.

Lesley Griffiths, Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, described it as an exciting initiative that would enable the two key parties involved in work experience to get down to basics.

“To be of any value work experience has to be meaningful – we’ve all heard of young people having a negative experience spending their time photocopying or making coffee. That has no benefit for the business or for the placement.

“Positive experiences of work can show young people there are many paths to success, enhancing their life and career aspirations. It can have an important role in preventing young people becoming disillusioned and dropping out of education, employment and training.

“I welcome this opportunity which will enable businesses and young people to explore what each wants and expects from work experience and how they can develop and improve it.”

Jocelle Lovell, Head of Operations for Business in the Community Wales, said she is encouraged by the powerful collaboration of employers who have stepped up to discuss, review and improve work experience in their organisations, and by the young people who have come together to share their experiences.

“The scale of the talent deficit in Wales is too great for employers to sit on the sidelines.  But business can be part of the solution by providing young people with a positive and meaningful first experience of the world of work, and helping to shape and inspire our future workforce.

“We look forward to working closely with our members and partners and developing a fit for purpose and inspiring work experience programme for Wales.”

The Real Conversation will include presentations from young people and senior business people, followed by informal round table discussions.

The initiative is promoted through social media outlets like twitter and YouTube to encourage young people to participate and exchange views.

Youtube features a number of video interviews with prominent business leaders who talk frankly and humorously about their careers, early work experiences, what inspired them and their greatest achievements.

Among those featured are Graeme Yorston, Chief Operating Officer for Principality Building Society, Andrew Padmore, Managing Director of UES and Graham Edwards, Chief Executive of Wales and West Utilities.

The Real Conversation, based on a BITC model used in England, is supported by Careers Wales, Working Links, CBI, Jobcentre Plus, National Training Federation for Wales and Colegau Cymru.