New flexible work experience options make it easier than ever for Surrey employers to offer placements to young people – with the benefits to businesses spelled out in recent research.
Gone are the days of the traditional five-day placement. New Government guidelines around work experience mean employers can now offer placements that fit around the realities of modern business – from half-day site visits and workplace safaris to hands-on projects and hybrid block placements spread across weeks rather than days.
The move comes as research from The Careers & Enterprise Company’s Employer Standards 2024/25 reveals that businesses engaging with work experience are 77% more likely to report tangible business benefits including a stronger talent pipeline. That figure rises to 90% among employers offering a broader range of experiences, including T-Levels and job shadowing.
A variety of formats means work experience now works for everyone
Surrey Careers Hub, which connects schools, colleges and employers across the county, is encouraging businesses to explore the new work experience offering to find a format that suits them.
Shorter site visits can welcome groups of students for guided tours, demonstrations and Q&A sessions with staff – giving young people a real window into a sector with minimal disruption to the working day. For businesses based on enterprise parks or industrial estates, workplace safaris offer a collaborative option. By partnering with two to four neighbouring employers to host students for 30 to 45 minutes each, businesses can share the load while giving students a richer, multi-business experience.
For employers wanting deeper engagement, block placements have been redesigned for flexibility. Students can attend on consecutive days, one day, of just a couple of hours a week over a month, or through a hybrid mix of in-person and virtual. Hands-on project briefs go further still. This involves setting students a real business challenge; a marketing campaign, a sustainability proposal, a new piece of website content – with students presenting their final work to the team and receiving professional feedback.
Employers see the benefits to their business
Ellie Smith, Social Value Consultant at Epsom-based law firm AtkinsRéalis, said: “The new modern work experience system has made it much easier for us to connect with young people in a meaningful and flexible way. Our virtual work experience programme works particularly well because it removes barriers around travel and scheduling, enabling students to take part and gain real insight into the world of work.
“We’ve found that project‑based work experience and insight days are especially effective, as they allow students to work on real‑world challenges and develop tangible skills while gaining a clearer understanding of the careers available in our sector. It’s been a really successful model for us, and we’re seeing genuine curiosity, confidence, and capability grow in the young people who take part.”
Cath Burnet, Head of Audit at professional services firm KPMG UK, said: “At KPMG, we’ve seen how these experiences broaden horizons and help young people connect their strengths to real opportunities. But this only works when businesses collaborate. By opening our doors wider, we can offer young people a clearer picture of what’s possible and, in doing so, strengthen the future workforce.”
Ian Browne, Early Careers Leader at Lloyds Banking Group, added: “In the world of hybrid working, the traditional five-day work experience is ever challenging to achieve. Our approach offers experiences of the workplace of different lengths and venues for maximum flexibility and scale.”
Surrey Careers Hub provides tailored support to help businesses design visits that work for them, including guidance on accessibility and safeguarding.
To find out how your business can get involved, email careers.hub@surreycc.gov.uk or read more about the modern work experience opportunities.
