Work Experience

Work Experience at UHD - Ready2Step Careers and Apprenticeship Academy

Overview of Ready2Step Careers and Apprenticeship Academy

The Ready2Step Careers and Apprenticeship Academy is dedicated to fostering career success through accessible, structured, and supportive services. We aim to empower people by providing apprenticeships, career development opportunities, and practical work experience. At Ready2Step, we believe that building the right skills and gaining hands-on experience are pivotal steps toward achieving career goals.

What is work experience?

Work experience is a crucial stepping stone in an individual’s career journey, providing real-world exposure to professional environments. It allows people to:

• Apply Knowledge: Bridge the gap between what is learnt in school and practical application by observing actual projects and tasks.

• Gain Insight: Understand the workplace, culture, and industry standards, enhancing professional knowledge of the environment people hope to work in.

• Build Skills: Develop essential skills such as teamwork, communication, time management, and problem-solving that are vital in any career.

• Enhance Employability: Strengthen applications by showcasing hands-on experience.

At UHD, Work experience can vary from “experiences” which can last between half a day to two days, through to programmes that last a full week. The majority of our work experience placements are observational, but some of the “experience” days offer a safe way to gain hands-on experience. Our placements are available across clinical and non-clinical roles.

Our Work experience offers and who can apply

Who Can Apply: Our work experience program is open to individuals who are eager to gain practical experience and develop their careers. Whether you are a student, or someone looking to switch careers, we welcome your application. Applications for observational experiences are restricted to those in Year 12+. Programmes for younger applicants (School Years 10&11) are “experience days” which offer the opportunity to speak to those working in the professions and “have-a-go" in simulated practice.

How to apply for work experience?

• Submit an application: Interested candidates should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an application from during an open application period. Application windows will be:

• **We are not currently accepting new applications for Work experience: Please check back here for information on when dates are available**

• Allocation: Selected applicants will be invited to discuss their goals and interests, to see which programme/area is best for them.

• Placement: Participants will be matched with suitable work experience opportunities based on their skills and career aspirations.

Priority will be given to:

• Applications from within the BCP area.

• Learners currently in a school which is in an area of deprivation (as guided by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) datasets).

• Learners who currently have or previously had an EHCP

• Applications from those who are currently considered as NEET (Not in education, Employment or Training)

• Applications from those who are currently in or have left Care (Looked after Children)

• Applications from those who are currently in or have recently left the Armed Forces.

Please ensure that you indicate if you are in one of these groups on your application. Also, please be aware we can only accept a limited number of students per year. Placements are dependent on the services agreeing and the needs of the service will be prioritised, therefore we cannot always guarantee a placement.

**Please note that work experience placements are not suitable for anyone looking for placements on pre-registration programmes (HCPC, NMC, GMC, GPhC etc.) This must be directed through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NHS Experience Days:

Some of these programmes are also available for Year 10 &11 students to apply for. They give an introduction and insight into the NHS as well as specific career paths within the organisation. We currently offer:

• Pathology Experience Day

• Therapies Experience Day

• Simulation Experience Day

• Teacher Encounters

We are always developing new programmes so please keep an eye out here for more information.

School visits/mock interviews

Our Academy team and network of NHS Ambassadors regularly support school events, working closely with careers advisors in the area as well as the NHS Dorset team who co-ordinate much of our educational engagement across the Integrated Care System.

If you would like us to attend an event with your school or learning provider, please get in touch with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

T-Level Placements

If you are a T-level student looking for a placement, please ask your college/sixth form to get in touch with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.