As my daughter enters the ‘work experience’ zone where children are facing the challenge of starting to build their C.Vs, it got me thinking about the real value of work experience. I remember my first placement being a waste of time. I sat at a desk for 2 hours with nothing to do before being given a piece of research for the ‘afternoon’ that took less than half an hour to complete. The ability to look busy and appreciative of being there can take its toll and it can be difficult to find anything more constructive to do than watch people at their computer.
I fully appreciate that it is not easy for a company to accommodate work experience students. Their ages and ability make it a difficult job to fulfil.
For this reason, alongside a few others, the idea for Bring Your Child to Work Day was conceived.
At a time when companies are trying to create real social impact, what better way than to open their doors on one particular day of the year to children, to give them an insight into the world of work. Whether they invite their staff’s children, children from the local community or a combination of the two makes no difference – the results are the same: the children gain a valuable insight into the world of work, better than any work experience placement could achieve.
Placed in groups, children are immersed for a day in all aspects of work from branding and merchandising, to finances and CSR. They hear from internal staff, external consultants and gain hands-on experience. At a recent day at The Financial Times, one activity concentrated on breaking news, press releases and a deadline for an article to go to print. Where else would they get this experience?
So, if your company would like to make a real impression on the next generation, open up your doors to Kids Day at work.
For more information and guidance on how to set one up, please contact me at zsinclair@employeesmatter.co.uk