Virtual work experience programmes selected for UCAS spotlight

Our virtual work experience programmes have been spotlighted on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) careers platform, following a recent partnership with Springpod. 

UCAS supports over 1.5 million students every year entering higher education, employment and apprenticeships. 

Try before you apply 

To date, over 1,000 local students and residents have enrolled in one of our virtual work experience programmes, with over 200 digital badges awarded for completion of the programme. 

Our virtual work experience programmes offer a unique insight into local government and social care careers. They include a range of activities, such as interactive projects, case studies, and the opportunity to reach out to staff in those sectors. 

The programmes are free to use and open to all, whether you are a student or simply looking for a career change. They are also available on-demand which means you can fit the programme around your schedule and commitments. 

How to enrol

Anyone aged 13+ who’s interested in learning what it’s like to work at the council can enrol in our virtual work express programmes. Please see below for online enrolment: 

Your City, Your Future

We’ve also created a series of short films showcasing different council job roles, such as lawyers, mechanics, park rangers, librarians, IT trainers, and more. 

This free resource can be used by careers leaders, teachers and parents to support people who may not be able to complete the virtual work experience programme independently. 

For more information, view the full series of Your City, Your Future films. 

Valuable resource 

Councillor Jacob Taylor, joint chair of the Children, Families and Schools Committee, said: “I’m delighted that our virtual work experience programme has been highlighted by UCAS. 

“These programmes offer the opportunity to gain insight into the breadth of different career opportunities available within the council, from working in our parks and libraries to maintaining our fleet and IT systems. 

“Our virtual work experience programmes aren’t only for students and school leavers – they're a valuable resource for anyone looking for a career change or considering pursuing employment within the council.” 

Accessible programmes

We are keen to ensure equitable access to our free careers resources. The council’s pre-employment project supports this by designing programmes which can be adapted and are fully accessible to the diverse learning needs of local residents. 

We recently held a careers workshop with student interns at Team Domenica, a charity that supports young people with learning disabilities. 

One candidate said: “I enjoyed it because I got to know different jobs that they offer, and I liked the job description activity because It helps me to get a job in the future.” 

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