Every learner should have first-hand experiences of workplaces to help their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks.
- By the age of 16, every pupil should have had meaningful experiences of workplaces.
- By the age of 18, every pupil should have had at least one further meaningful experience.
Criteria for colleges
- By the end of their programme of study, every learner should have had at least one meaningful experience of a workplace, in addition to any part-time jobs they may have.
Definition of Meaningful for Gatsby Benchmark 6
A meaningful experience gives the young person the opportunity to explore what it is like to work in that environment, what skills are valued in the workplace, their recruitment processes and what it takes to be successful. This could be achieved through visits to workplaces, work shadowing and/or work experience. Throughout the careers programme these experiences could be in person or a combination of in person and virtual, where appropriate.
Both the young person and employers should be supported to prepare for the experience. Additional or different support may be needed for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
A meaningful experience will:
- have a clear purpose, which is shared with the employer and the young person
- be underpinned by learning outcomes that are appropriate to the needs of the young person
- involve extensive two-way interactions between the young person and employees
- include opportunities for young people to meet a range of different people from the workplace
- include opportunities for young people to perform a task set by the employer or to produce a piece of work relevant to that workplace
- include the employer providing feedback to the young person about their work
- be followed by opportunities for the young person to reflect on the insights, knowledge or skills gained through their experience
Schools, colleges and independent training providers (ITPs) can take into account any part-time work a young person may have, if it genuinely offers them a meaningful experience.
Resources to help achieve this benchmark:
| Resource | Description | Links & Downloads | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CEC Resources Directory | CEC Gatsby Benchmark 6 overview and links to resources | CEC Resources Directory |
| 2 | Experiences of workplaces - Practical ideas for achieving Gatsby Benchmark 6 | This report provides practical insights from Careers Leaders about how to deliver meaningful workplace experiences for young people in secondary schools, colleges and special schools. It is targeted at schools and colleges seeking ideas for how to improve their provision. | Download |
| 3 | Making it Meaningful Checklist | This checklist is designed to help Career Leaders ensure each encounter or experience is meaningful for all participants and will ensure quality and consistency to the activity. The checklist is specifically for use in careers activities involving an employer or FE/HE provider. | Download |
| 4 | Guidance on scoring online employer engagement in Compass | The aim of this initial guidance is to support Careers Leaders, Enterprise Coordinators and Enterprise Advisers with the design of careers programmes for young people and specifically how to complete the Compass tool this term. | Download |
| 5 | Redefine experiences of the workplace | A guide to changing the way we deliver experiences of the workplace. How to achieve Gatsby Benchmark 6 more meaningfully and deliver positive student outcomes. | Download |
| 6 | Inspiring the Future VWEX Guide | Using Inspiring the Future to deliver meaningful experiences of the workplace | Download |
| 7 | Leading the Way- Karen Kelso, Career Leader at St Benedict's Catholic High School Benchmark 6 | Karen shares how they have achieved 100% in Gatsby Benchmark 6 at St Benedict’s Catholic High School | Download |
| 8 | London Enterprise Adviser Network Blue Print Virtual Experiences of the Workplace | In this Blueprint you'll see information on: 1. What is a virtual experience of the workplace? 2. What needs to be included? 3. How to run a virtual experience of the workplace with an example agenda. | Download |
| 9 | Disabled Workers Co-operative (D & I ) | A website for disabled job seekers to look for work and also for employers to advertise their jobs for free . | Open |
| 10 | Ulverston Victoria High School - Work Experience resources | Read Joanne Adams Case Study 'Leading the Way' highlighting what UVHS have done in support of BM6 along with downloadable resources. | Downloadable Case Study & Downloadable Resources |
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