College students benefit from creative Capita careers programme

Central to delivering high quality careers education are opportunities for young people to receive meaningful workplace experience. The growth of hybrid and remote working has led to a significant decline in traditional work experience opportunities; and schools, colleges and employers are having to think more creatively about how to enable young people to have meaningful workplace encounters.

We are therefore delighted to have been able to facilitate an opportunity for 15 Business students from City of Westminster College to participate in a week’s virtual work experience, delivered by Grand Union BID member, Capita.

Between 29 June and 3 July, the students were tasked with a real-life public sector business challenge, which they worked on in small groups across the week. Each team member took on a specific role to fulfill their tasks, as Project Manager, Business Analyst, Researcher and Stakeholder Manager, Data and Insights Analyst or Communications Lead. The students also received support with developing their CVs, practicing the skills required to succeed at interview and gained brand awareness.

On completing the week all students had written an updated CV, template cover letter and created their own LinkedIn profile. Participants had the opportunity to hear from guest speakers, present their thoughts and ideas to industry professionals as part of an end of project assessment and received a certificate to acknowledge their involvement.

Delivering the content virtually removed financial barriers, as the programme could be accessed at home or college without travel costs, and students gained experience in using digital tools; including Microsoft Teams, Co-Pilot and other aspects of AI.

The session had a really positive impact, bringing together 25 participants, including 10 students from CWC and CNWL. Feedback was strong, with a Net Promoter Score of 54 and an average rating of 4.54 out of 5, showing that people found the session valuable and would be likely to recommend it. It also clearly helped shift how participants think about AI: 100% said the week changed their view of AI, and 88% said they now have a better understanding of the risks and precautions needed to use it responsibly.