Fair Train and Sky Academy kick off Work Experience Week

National charity Fair Train has joined forces with Sky Academy to celebrate Work Experience Week.

Over the past 12 months, Sky has hosted over 400 students on one to two weeks work experience. Over the course of their experience, they've developed skills and networks which have helped many of them go onto get jobs in the industry.

Sky News presenter Sarah Hewson is hosting an event at the start of the week which will see new adopters of the Work Experience Quality Standard be presented with awards and hear from young people about how good quality Work Experience has changed their lives.

Sky Academy's Work Experience Programme, which has recently been awarded the Gold Standard Work Experience Quality Standard, are hosting the event on the first day of Work Experience Week, which will be attended by employers, colleges and young people from across the country.

Work Experience Week, organised by Fair Train, developer of the Work Experience Quality Standard, runs this year from the 13th-17th October. It aims to raise awareness of the benefits of Work Experience to employers, learning providers and young people.

As part of the celebration event, five lucky young people will have the opportunity to win their dream work experience placement, with the best entry wining an iPad Air.

Beth Gardner, CEO of Fair Train, said: "We are delighted to be working with Sky Academy to celebrate good quality Work Experience."

"Work experience allows employers to provide a young person with an introduction to working life, enabling them to build a platform for their future. Additionally, it is a great way for employers to meet fresh minded, motivated and innovative individuals and benefit from their input into the business. We are calling on more employers to offer work experience, and more young people to tell us how work experience has benefitted them."

Nicola Hart, Head of Starting Out said: "We're very proud to be involved in Work Experience Week and to showcase the work we've doing to provide more opportunities for people starting out in their careers to get behind the scenes at Sky. To start exploring what the career options could be and the skills and connections they need to make it happen."

Help support Work Experience Week - join the conversation using #WEWeek2014 or take on a work experience student for the week of celebrations. You can also visit www.giveyouthachance.com to pledge your support for Work Experience in the UK. It is a very quick process and will help to influence policy and encourage positive change to increase the amount of employers offering Work Experience.

Ends

About Fair Train

Fair Train is the Group Training Association for the third sector, creator of the national Work Experience Quality Standard accreditation and Work Experience Week. The Work Experience Quality Standard is funded by UKCES.

About Sky Academy

Sky Academy is a unique and ground-breaking set of initiatives that uses the power of television, creativity and sport to inspire young people and help them reach their potential.

www.fairtrain.org

www.giveyouthachance.com

www.sky.com/academy/

Photo opportunity

Sky Academy, Monday 13th October, – 4-6pm

Case studies available on request.

For more information contact Jessica Rexworthy – jessica.rexworthy@fairtrain.org - 07940 406908.