How do I find work experience in Year 10?

Ask your school careers team first, then contact people you know and local businesses by email at least two to three months before your placement week. Say which dates you're available, why you're interested, and offer to bring a short CV.

What if I can't find a work experience placement?

Virtual work experience programmes, volunteering, a part-time job, helping in a family business, or a school club project all count. What matters is that you can describe what you did and what you learned.

Is virtual work experience worth it?

Yes. Many large employers and NHS trusts run free virtual programmes. They are less hands-on than an in-person placement, but they show initiative and give you real tasks to mention on a CV or application.

Do you get paid for work experience?

Usually not. Short school work experience placements are normally unpaid. If you're doing real work as an employee rather than shadowing, minimum wage rules may apply — gov.uk explains when work experience must be paid.

Work experience ideas for Year 10, Year 12 and college

Over 40 ideas grouped by sector, an email you can copy to ask for a placement, and what to do if nothing comes through.

Find sectors that suit you Volunteering opportunities

What are good work experience ideas for students?

Good work experience shows you a real working day in a sector you're curious about: a garage or engineering workshop, a builder, a GP surgery or vet, a lab, a council office, a local newspaper, a farm or a shop. Ask your school first, then email local businesses two to three months ahead. Virtual programmes and volunteering also count.

Last reviewed 6 October 2026 by the Shine careers team.

Work experience ideas by sector

Engineering and manufacturing

A local engineering or fabrication workshop
A car or motorbike garage
A factory production line or quality lab
An electrician or plumber for a week
A rail, water or energy company open week

Construction

A builder, joiner or bricklayer
A site office with a construction firm
An architect's or surveyor's practice
A council planning or highways team
A housing association maintenance team

Health and care

A GP surgery reception
A pharmacy
A care home (activities and support)
A vet or animal rescue centre
A dental practice
An NHS trust virtual work experience programme

Science and labs

A school or college science technician
A university lab open day or summer school
A food testing or water quality lab
A museum or science centre

Digital and tech

A local web design or marketing agency
A school or council IT support team
A games, app or software studio
Building a website for a local charity

Creative and media

A local newspaper, radio station or podcast
A theatre backstage crew
A photography or video studio
A print shop or sign maker

Land-based and environment

A farm or market garden
A garden centre or tree surgeon
A national park, wildlife trust or conservation volunteer day
A stables or equine yard

Business, law and public service

A solicitor's or accountant's office
A bank branch or estate agent
Your local council or MP's constituency office
A primary school or nursery
A hotel, restaurant or events venue
A shop: stock, tills and visual merchandising

Work experience by year group

Year 10

Most schools in England run a one- or two-week block in the summer term. Pick something you're curious about rather than something 'impressive' — the point is to find out what a working day feels like. Ask early: popular placements fill by spring.

Year 12 / sixth form

Aim for something linked to what you might study or apply for next. It gives you real examples for a UCAS personal statement or an apprenticeship application. Look for insight weeks and virtual programmes run by large employers.

College and T Level students

T Level students complete an industry placement of at least 315 hours as part of the course, arranged with your college. Other college students can add short placements or volunteering alongside their course.

More on T Level placements: our T Levels guide.

How to find a work experience placement

1
Make a list of five places
Use your contacts first: family, friends' parents, part-time employers, sports clubs. Then add local businesses in the sector you're curious about.
2
Check what your school offers
Your careers adviser or Careers Leader may already have employers who take students and will handle the safety checks.
3
Send a short email
Use the template below. Keep it to five sentences and say exactly which dates you're available.
4
Follow up after a week
A polite follow-up email or phone call often gets a reply when the first email didn't.
5
Have a back-up
If nothing comes through, a virtual work experience programme or volunteering still counts and still gives you something to talk about.

Email to ask for work experience (copy and edit)

Subject: Work experience request – [your name], [dates]

Dear [name],

I'm a Year [10/12] student at [school] and I'm interested in [sector] because [one honest reason]. I'm looking for a work experience placement from [dates] and would be grateful for the chance to shadow your team, even for a few days.

I'm reliable and happy to help with any tasks. I can send a short CV and my school can share their placement details.

Thank you for your time,
[name] – [phone]

Need that short CV? How to write a CV with no experience.

Work experience FAQs

What are good work experience ideas?: Good work experience lets you see a real working day in a sector you're curious about: a garage, an engineering workshop, a vet, a GP surgery, a builder, a council office, a local newspaper, a farm, a lab or a shop. A smaller local business often gives you more hands-on tasks than a big brand.
How do I find work experience in Year 10?: Ask your school careers team first, then contact people you know and local businesses by email at least two to three months before your placement week. Say which dates you're available, why you're interested, and offer to bring a short CV.
What if I can't find a work experience placement?: Virtual work experience programmes, volunteering, a part-time job, helping in a family business, or a school club project all count. What matters is that you can describe what you did and what you learned.
Is virtual work experience worth it?: Yes. Many large employers and NHS trusts run free virtual programmes. They are less hands-on than an in-person placement, but they show initiative and give you real tasks to mention on a CV or application.
Do you get paid for work experience?: Usually not. Short school work experience placements are normally unpaid. If you're doing real work as an employee rather than shadowing, minimum wage rules may apply — gov.uk explains when work experience must be paid.

Sources: gov.uk work experience and minimum wage; DfE T Level industry placements guidance.

Part of Shine's apprenticeship guide series, plain-English answers, updated regularly.