More & better work experience for Stockport's young people at NextGen

Shelley

10 minutes ago

4 min read

PIE's third Next Gen network event brought together 30 people from 25 schools, businesses, VCSE and public sector organisations to explore how we can open up more and better work experience opportunities for young people across Stockport.

The event was part of our Next Gen programme, now in its second year, which helps young people take their first steps into the world of work through supported work experiences.

The morning showcased some great examples of organisations opening doors for young people, and how these experiences can bring real value to businesses as well as young people themselves. There was plenty of enthusiasm for building on what's already happening and encouraging more employers to get involved.

Work experience doesn't have to mean a week in an office

One of the biggest themes of the morning was challenging traditional ideas about work experience.

Kell Dengen from Marbury Edible Gardens shared how she's creating opportunities for young people through volunteering and apprenticeships, and challenged businesses to think about the everyday tasks they could offer a young person, such as data entry, customer service, copywriting or social media - to help a young person learn the ropes. As Kell put it, "Everybody has got a job role for a young person."

PIE's Shelley Metcalfe talked about the value of micro work experiences – opportunities lasting anything from a couple of hours to a few days.

These don't just benefit young people. A fresh pair of eyes on marketing materials, a chance for a junior team member to practise supervising someone, or an opportunity to connect with future talent can all bring value to a business.

Even something as simple as organising the tea run can be a useful learning experience, involving planning, organisation, communication and taking responsibility.

Small opportunities can make a big difference, without requiring a huge commitment from employers.

You can't aspire to what you've never seen

Clare Finch from Sector 3 shared a powerful reminder of why these opportunities matter: "You can't aspire to what you've never seen."

For young people with limited connections to the world of work, simply visiting a workplace, meeting people doing different jobs or trying something new can open up possibilities they hadn't previously considered.

We also heard from PIE's Evie Coley, who shared her own experiences of finding her way into work, reminding us that your first job doesn't have to be your last. Young people need opportunities to explore different options and discover what suits them.

Cara Mahon from Smart Works talked about how the organisation supports women to build confidence, motivation and the practical skills needed to move towards employment.

Together, these perspectives reinforced that work experience is about much more than adding a line to a CV. It's about building skills, making connections and helping young people see what's out there.

We then put these ideas into practice with a collaborative activity, challenging delegates to design their own micro work experience. Working together, they explored what a young person could do, the skills they'd practise, what they might gain from the experience and how it could benefit the host organisation.

It was a chance to think creatively and practically about how everyday tasks could become meaningful work experience opportunities, without placing too many demands on employers.

Great connections and ideas for what comes next

One of the most encouraging parts of the morning was seeing what organisations across Stockport could offer, from supported placements and internships to workplace activities, training and specialist support.

Participants particularly valued hearing different perspectives and making new connections, with feedback including:

"Meeting employers and schools in a mutual way to help each other."

"Lots of connections giving scope for schools, VCSE organisations and businesses to collaborate."

"Some great new connections."

But the discussions also highlighted a clear need for more employers to offer work experience opportunities.

Schools spoke about students struggling to find placements, while organisations supporting young people who are not in education, employment or training highlighted the challenges of finding suitable opportunities.

There was a particular emphasis on reaching young people before they become disengaged. The transition from education into employment is a crucial point, and giving young people opportunities to explore different workplaces, build confidence and understand their options can help them take that next step.

Some clear priorities and opportunities emerged from our discussions:

Making pathways more visible – helping young people understand the different options available after 16 and 18, particularly those who have become disengaged from education or employment.
Starting earlier – helping young people explore the world of work and prepare for the transition from education before they become disconnected from opportunities.
Engaging more businesses – encouraging more employers to open their doors and offer practical experiences that help young people take their first steps into work.
Building a bank of work experience opportunities across Stockport – making it easier for schools and organisations supporting young people to find suitable placements and increasing the number of young people who can access them.

One thing was clear from the event: there's a real appetite for more and better work experience opportunities across Stockport, but we need more businesses to help make them happen.

Schools and organisations supporting young people are looking for opportunities, and we know from Next Gen that even small experiences can make a big difference. There's huge potential to connect young people with the skills, knowledge and experiences that local businesses have to offer.

Could your organisation be part of it?

Whether it's a workplace visit, a few hours of job shadowing, a small project or something completely different, we'd love to explore the possibilities with you.

We're also planning our next Next Gen network event for spring 2027. If you'd like to get involved, offer a work experience opportunity or join us at the next event, please get in touch with shelley@pieuk.org.