VCCP has been working with business leaders, including Sir Stuart Rose, Chairman and Chief Executive of M&S, on a new initiative that aims to transform the world of work experience.
The Work Inspiration campaign has been developed to mobilise employers to rethink what constitutes meaningful work experience. This is based on the general understanding that across business and education sectors there is a disconnect between the majority of young people in Britain today and their expectations of the world of work. This has very significant consequences for the prospects of today’s young people and for the country’s future competitiveness in the new global economy.
VCCP was tasked with creating a professional and corporate looking website that would engage directly with employers. The site features movies and downloadable content to support the idea that work experience can and should be inspiring. Alongside the website VCCP created a branded YouTube page to act as a video repository and an area where people could go and comment on the footage – these videos are then incorporated into the main website.
VCCP also took part in the scheme by offering 3 young people a day’s work experience that was designed to test some of the work experience insights created for the programme. This was filmed and played at the launch event held at Spitalfields Market where the Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, spoke to young people and businesses.
The aim of the website is to raise awareness and get businesses to commit to become Work Inspiration employers by signing up to the website and downloading the Work Inspiration logo to display on their site. It also gives employers tools that can be used to transform their own work experience programmes.
In its first month the site has already made a difference with over 3,000 visitors and more than 50 organisations signed up to become a work inspiration company.
Stuart Rose, Chairman of the programme and Business in the Community said:
“Employers have more to do to bridge the gap between the classroom and the world of work if British business is to find the talent, creativity and skills needed for our future.
“Many companies already offer work experience, but it's now more important than ever for young people’s first taste of work to be as relevant, meaningful and inspiring as possible.”
The website
http://www.workinspiration.com/
The branded YouTube page
http://www.youtube.com/workinspiration
Strapline
“There’s more than one route to success.
(Because careers are pretty random things.)”
END
For more information please contact Sarah Adamson at VCCP on 020 7592 9331.
