virtual work experience??

Sounds rather pointless to me, as I would think the whole idea of WE is to go into places of work and interact with colleagues, customers etc. and generally get a taste of what the work is all about.

Impossible this year, so this has been dreamed up as a rather poor substitute.

There again, what do I know? Am sure someone will put me right and tell me this is the way forward.

Some training films are actually quite good if they can get them. Right and wrong ways to interact with customers etc. I seem to remember a John Cleese one from years ago😬

You're right Tanith, she must be so fed up with online this, online that. I agree with Calendargirl that virtual work experience is a very poor substitute for getting out in to the real world. Maybe teachers and employers could think outside the box and come up with outdoor ideas like clearing open spaces, tidying the locality .... a bit like community service.

Manning phone calls for Silverline or childline would be more useful. Getting used to speaking/listening to strangers is a useful skill. Litter picking with the right equipment would be useful and help the environment.

Years ago there were schools tv programmes about different jobs that I enjoyed watching when my children were very young.

I’m glad it’s not just me that thinks it’s a bit pointless. I’m not telling what I think as it’s something she’s got to take part in so don’t want her to think it’s a waste of time.
I suppose it’s the best they can do with limited time and resources.

Perhaps as by the time she leaves school, so many people will be working from home that the virtual work experience may be closer to the real thing than we realise.

As work experience is only one or two weeks I don't think it would be a good idea for them man lines like Childline or Silverline. An immature, inexperienced response could do much damage. Its not just about answering the phone.
And you have to be prepared to get a number of quite distressing windups and sometimes sexually explicit calls.

That’s actually a very good point Ilovecheese

Agreed Illte

Thanks tanith

At least she is being provided with some sort of work experience; it would be difficult to arrange some of the suggestions without personal contact, plus the people who would deal with them are probably furloughed.

Perhaps the virtual experience could include role plays, job interview techniques, this type of thing would be so useful for 15/16 year olds.