As my daughter enters the \u2018work experience\u2019 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 \u2018afternoon\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
For this reason, alongside a few others, \u00a0the idea for Bring Your Child to Work Day was conceived.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 Whether they invite their staff\u2019s children, children from the local community or a combination of the two makes no difference \u2013 the results are the same: the children gain a valuable insight into the world of work, better than any work experience placement could achieve.<\/p>\n
Placed in groups, children are immersed for a day in all aspects of work from branding and merchandising, to finances and CSR.\u00a0 They hear from internal staff, external consultants and gain hands-on experience.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Where else would they get this experience?<\/p>\n
So, if your company would like to make a real impression on the next generation, open up your doors to Kids Day at work.<\/p>\n
For more information and guidance on how to set one up, please contact me at zsinclair@employeesmatter.co.uk<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As my daughter enters the \u2018work experience\u2019 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":580,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n