This module will provide you with an introduction to STEM careers in the North East, and provide an overview of the exciting and innovative Dogger Bank Wind Farm!

Welcome to Dogger Bank & STEM South Tyneside

Passionate about building a more sustainable future? Well, in this module you’ll gain a greater insight into how, exactly, you might go about doing this! From sustainable construction to sources of energy, you’ll round up the module with a persuasive writing activity all about the benefits of wind farms.

Building Green Foundations

Innovation is all around us, and particularly in the engineering industry! Engineers are natural innovators and in this module, you’ll learn how across the industry, engineers are embracing emerging technologies and developments to help build a better future.

Engineering Your Future

Think STEM is all about hard hats and construction sites? Think again! In this module you’ll learn all about the fantastic opportunities available in technology, and how you can reach them.

Introduction to Technology

Following on from Introduction to Technology, this module will help you explore a career in finance, and discover an avenue that might be for you.

Introduction to Finance

Ever wondered what it’s like working offshore on a wind farm? How about the types of businesses that operate on ports? In this module you’ll learn all about life offshore, jobs roles and the impact of offshore ports!

Life Offshore

In this module you’ll learn all about renowned marine education and training provider, South Shields Marine School! From career pathways to opportunities and support, you’ll finish up the module with a short skills evaluation task.

South Shields Marine School

From crucial employability skills and qualifications for STEM to careers and vocational skills, this module will provide you with a great understanding of the steps you can take to help build a green future!

Building Green Futures

Are you passionate about sustainability? Do you want to work on the latest innovations in engineering? Have you ever wondered what it’s like working at the heart of renewable energy? Springpod and South Tyneside Council, in partnership with Dogger Bank Wind Farm, have partnered up to give you the fantastic opportunity to discover what a career in STEM is really like during this virtual work experience programme.

Students from years 8-13 who live in South Tyneside are welcome to apply!

Engineering Your Future – South Tyneside

This programme will cover everything from an overview of the STEM industry, what a career in STEM can offer, and an introduction to the Dogger Bank Wind Farm. You’ll have the chance to take part in some great quizzes and activities designed to help you discover what a career in STEM is like, and you’ll even have the chance to speak to leading industry experts along the way! 

Once you have applied for your programme, you will receive a confirmation email. You will be notified about the outcome of your application via email at least 3 days before the programme start date. Good luck!


When will I hear back if I have been successful with my application?

All live talks will be available as recordings. You can access these at the same link used to access the live event. So don’t worry if you can’t attend a live webinar, a recording will be available for you to access through your programme within 24 hours of the live event finishing.

What happens if I can't make a live talk/webinar?

You will have a chance to ask questions at the end of each webinar. These questions are typed out and then read to the presenter by the host of the live talk. There is no need to speak, and all student microphones will be muted for the duration of the live webinar.

Will I be able to ask questions/do I have to have my microphone on?

This module will introduce you to the world of work, how to understand it, prepare for it and excel in it! We cover topics such as professional behaviour, boundaries, travelling to work and dressing for work.

The World of Work

This module will introduce you to support services and the jobs within this area. We’ll explore jobs in areas such as admin and clerical, domestic services and the wider support team.

Support Services

In this module, we’ll take a look at the main admin and clerical roles, including receptionist and administrator.

Admin and Clerical

In this one, we’re diving into the world of nursing and midwifery. We’ll explore the different types of nursing - from mental health to children’s nursing - before taking a look at midwifery and the roles available here

Nursing and Midwifery

This module will see us cover all things AHP - that means Allied Health Professional! We’ll discover who the Allied Health Professionals are and how to become one - before we dive into some specific AHP jobs.

This module will focus on medicine, why you should study it, the different medical jobs and how you can become a medical professional.

Medicine

Now, a look at what it’s like to work for the NHS, including NHS values, perfecting your interview skills and what it was like to work for the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic

Working for the NHS

This will be a module dedicated to specific pathways within Dudley. We’ll take a close look at various careers in this area, including apprenticeships!

Getting Career Ready

Curious about careers in healthcare? We’ve got just the programme for you… Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust’s ‘Inspiring Our Future Workforce Programme’ will introduce you to a range of healthcare careers, from admin and clerical, to midwifery and nursing. You’ll also learn about the world of work, Dudley Group’s pathways into employment and more! We’ll give you the chance to complete activities, quizzes and live webinars, too.

Students who live in Dudley, aged 14-25 are welcome to apply

Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust - Inspiring Our Future Workforce Programme

You’ll learn all about the world of work, what it’s like to work within several departments in the NHS – including medicine, support services, admin and clerical and midwifery – and how to get career ready. For a more detailed look into this programme’s modules, take a look at the module breakdown below…

Taking a part in this programme was a dream come true for me. I appreciate everyone's time to create this course and run it as smoothly as possible. The information which I received and learned was incredibly useful.e. Again, I really appreciate everyone's time and I am looking forward to taking part in other courses powered by Springpod, because it was worth my time and it was my pleasure. Thank you!

Adam

Thank you so much for putting your effort and time into this programme. You are helping to shape the future of this generation... the generation which are going to carry the future of the workforce on their shoulders'. Being able to talk about your personal careers in this industry and different ways to follow in your footsteps has inspired me so much. I am a dedicated, disciplined student but I have always felt very unsure about how to actually get a job (aside from the qualifications and education necessary). I already believed in myself, but you've all helped to make sure that I KNOW I can do it. Thank you so much :))

Lucienne

I wanted to say that I really appreciate all the time and work that you have put into organising this programme as well as choosing the activities, taking the time for the webinars and informing us students of early careers as well as what you do as a company in many different sectors. This has been so helpful and I couldn't be more glad that I was able to participate. It has been truly fun! Thank you very much to all those who were part of making this programme.

Ornella

I would like to thank you sincerely for giving me the opportunity to participate in such an interactive and relevant work experience in my area of interest. Especially as a result of the pandemic, the ability to find and partake in any form of work experience has been few and far between, let alone one that has been as informative and useful as this, so it has been a great experience overall. I look forward to any future virtual or even in-person work experience offered by Springpod, as I will certainly be applying for it.

Dillon

You’ll earn a certificate if you complete the
programme.

You’ll get practical skills and knowledge.

Add the experience to your CV and Personal Statement.

14-18 years old and live in London or Thames Valley, are welcome to apply.

Ever wondered how we get clean drinking water? Where does it come from? And where does the wastewater end up? The answer to all of these questions lies in the water cycle. We'll cover it all from flooding, wet weather, increasing populations, and weather patterns to managing pollution, pesticides, and nitrate. We'll then quiz you on what you've learnt, just to make sure you were paying attention!

The Water Cycle and Clean Water Treatment

How are Thames Water being more sustainable? We'll go into detail about how Thames Water is working hard to play their part in achieving the UN's 17 sustainable development goals. Want to hear about biodiversity too? This module has it all! In this module’s activity, you’ll have a go at designing the ultimate water efficient and sustainable home.

Sustainability at Thames Water

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, four areas that are key to the water industry and to companies like Thames Water. In this module we'll explain how STEM helps Thames Water revolutionise water treatment, from utilising cutting-edge technology to employing the best engineers to ensure processes go smoothly and safely. 

STEM at Thames Water

There’s a whole host of non-technical roles which are integral to day-to-day operations in Thames Water - we'll have a look at what these roles are and how to get them! In this module's activity, Thames Water needs you to write a pitch for a new campaign increasing public awareness on how their actions can prevent sewer blockages.

Digital, Finance, and Branding (Non-Technical Roles)

Discover the most under-represented and exciting field within the world of STEM. You may not expect it but Thames Water stands at the cutting edge of technology and leverage this to bring thousands upon thousands of people a real, tangible output in clean, drinking water. They cover a whole range of STEM careers, so this programme is suitable for anyone with a keen interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

Cheryl Atkinson

James Townsend

Students aged 14-18 and live in London or Thames Valley are welcome to apply

We've worked with some awesome employers on our Thames Water Virtual Work Experience. Check out some of our speakers.

On this Thames Water virtual work experience programme, you’ll discover how the UK’s largest water and wastewater service keeps our water safe and clean. You’ll learn about the water cycle, how wastewater and sewage treatment works, sustainability and science and engineering at Thames Water. You’ll explore the range of roles within the company, from opportunities in STEM and sustainability to digital, finance and branding.

You’ll meet professionals in live workshops and be able to ask them questions.

You’ll complete activities and work assignments to develop skills and knowledge.

Complete all work and assignments at times that are suitable to you.

Thank you so much for putting this all together! You've given me information I never knew, and boosted my confidence with the knowledge I knew already. I have a clearer view of my road ahead and how I will achieve it, so thank you again, for this great opportunity!

Denis

Thank you so much for taking your time to come and talk to us. I feel more confident about stepping into a work environment and I know loads of others feel the same

Ruby

Thank you for creating this program for us. It was very helpful as I got to understand the different skills that are important for working in the industry.

Ethan

This programme was very useful and helped me in understanding how the work world partially runs and explained what sort of skills a person needs. 

Muhhamad

I really enjoyed the activites and I learned a lot about employment. Thank you for creating this for students like me.

Sabrine

Thank you very much for education the young minds of the new generation.

Jack

In the food and drinks industry, things can change pretty quickly - every new product and decision that’s made has a lot of consideration behind it. So, what goes into this change, and product development at Pret? From looking at what drives change to an overview of product development, including an insight into essential considerations, this module will introduce you to what product development is really like! 

The Pace of Change

Have you ever wondered where ideas and innovation comes from? Well, this module will lift the lid on exactly what goes on, and bring you closer to the development stages. From looking at what makes a great idea to where innovation can come from, this module will give you everything you need to know about product ideation at Pret. 

Ideation

It’s amazing seeing an idea come to life, but there’s often a few processes that come along the way, with the occasional misstep too! Staying on track and keeping a close eye on project management is key to bringing a project to life. This module will look at the teams, roles and responsibilities involved in development feedback, project management, and timelines. There’ll even top tips that’ll help you stay on track, and get your idea closer to reality.  

Development

From recipe development to ingredient sourcing, this module will provide you with valuable insight into all things pricing at Pret. After learning more about the teams, roles and processes involved at different stages of development and sourcing, you’ll get a taste of how to ascertain the cost of a product from ingredients and how they’re sourced through a costing tutorial, before hearing more from leading industry professionals offering bonus tips, hints and pathway information in a live webinar. You’ll finish off the module with an immersive costing activity.

Pricing

What is marketing? How are marketing channels used? What’s needed to create a stand-out marketing campaign? This module aims to answer all of these questions and more! Once you’ve brushed up on the 7Ps of marketing and explored the rise of digital marketing, you’ll find out more about Pret’s marketing strategy, completing the module with an activity all about planning your very own product launch.

Marketing

You might not realise it, but branding is an integral part of any company’s image and how it’s perceived by customers. In this module, you’ll delve deeper into the fascinating world of branding and packaging. After a whistle-stop tour of key brand elements for Pret, you’ll take a closer look at how branding and packaging have evolved over time. You’ll even learn about key visual considerations, and how the right elements help create the characteristics of all Pret packaging! Using everything you’ve learnt - including top tips and advice shared in the live webinar - you’ll have a go at designing your own eye-catching packaging.

Branding and Packaging

So, it’s finally time to launch a product - what happens now? This module will take you through an overview of ‘launch day’ and the different teams involved in this exciting stage. From an overview of how products are presented and talked about to how they are incorporated into current offerings and served, you’ll also learn more about ‘point of sale’. To explore this in more detail, you’ll hear from industry professionals in a live webinar, before having a go at adding your own notes about launch day to your designs.

Store Roll Out

Pret is one of the most recognisable names on the high street, and is a staple of millions of people’s day. With their freshly made food and organic coffee, they have pushed high street food offerings forward towards a healthier, more considered and sustainable future! But, how much do you really know about Pret, and what it takes for some of our favourite food and drink items to become reality? Well, we’ve got you covered! Springpod and Pret have joined forces to give you a top insight into the world of product development. What’s more, you’ll even have the chance to have a go at designing a new product yourself - and it might even end up on the shelves! 

Students in year 10-13 are welcome to apply!

An opportunity to create the next Prét product!

This programme will cover everything from an introduction to key stages of product development at Pret, showing you the different stages that drive innovation, to turning an idea into the real deal. You’ll have the chance to take part in some unique opportunities, and get some top tips from Pret to help you along the way.

Once you’ve discovered more about the employment landscape in Oxfordshire and the variety of opportunities available, you’ll explore a series of exciting industry spotlights before learning about how the world of work is changing. You’ll also work on your first employer project.

Working in Oxfordshire

After familiarising yourself with key employability skills (particularly those in-demand in your area!), you’ll take a deep dive into a whole range of vital employability skills. From creativity, digital skills, and leadership to aiming high, teamwork and staying positive, and the chance to put your skills to work in the second employer project, you’ll finish this module with sound knowledge of the skills you need to shine in the workplace.

Introduction to Employability

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of problem solving, resilience and project management before, but what, exactly, do these skills involve? In this module you’ll explore each in more detail, and refine your skills with a range of scenario-based activities (including your third employer project!).

Problem Solving, Resilience & Project Management

Want our top tips on building a stand-out CV? Need a few pointers to help ace interviews? Hoping to brush up on your digital etiquette? Look no further! With CV and interview tips, advice on preparing for your first day in the workplace and a budgeting guide, this final module is designed to help you get youself ready to take your next steps.

Preparing for the World of Work

Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, or OxLEP, is a local, business-led partnership that plays a central role in driving local economic growth. OxLEP is giving students the fantastic opportunity to discover the world of work by hearing from local employers and a focus on key employability skills including communication, teamwork, resilience and digital skills.

This programme is open to students in Y10-Y13 who live/study in Oxfordshire

*This programme is on-demand, so if you apply and meet the eligibility criteria, you can start right away!* 

From working in Oxfordshire and industry spotlights to problem-solving and preparing for the world of work, this programme will help you learn more about opportunities in your local area, develop key employability skills through quizzes and activities, and take part in employer projects set by industry professionals.

Thank you for taking the time to create this programme. The volunteers on the live sessions were all really nice and down to earth which was really good to hear proper experiences in this industry, without sugar coating or hiding anything. To the people who made this project brief and stuff for us: I really enjoyed it and I thought it was the perfect topic and it's nice to bring more awareness and knowledge of this subject to more people!
Also all the videos were really nice on this programme. Very full of life and engaging!

Rhea

Thank you for providing an opportunity for young people like me who had no previous exposure to the industry/ This programme has some great elements that differentiates itself from other work experience providers. The programme particularly focuses on ourselves: our confidence, our skills and what we want to do in the future rather than just the work opportunities available and how to get there. I've really enjoyed this programme and hope there would be more opportunities in this specific field

Thank you very much for this experience. This sector sounds fascinating and I will definitely explore more. During and after lockdown, my opportunities for work experience were completely erased. But thank to this wonderful virtual work experience, I am able to gather crucial experience to write down on my CV and personal statement. Thank you once again!

Evan

 Of course! You can sign up to as many programmes as you like.  What’s more, all live talks will be recorded, meaning you can  easily catch up if there are any clashes. 

Can I enrol onto multiple programmes?

Yes! Once every section of the programme is marked as  complete, you can download your certificate and show it off!

Will I receive a certificate once I’ve completed the 
programme?

We understand that life happens and deadlines aren’t always  easy to meet. Luckily, most of our programmes are flexible and  can easily fit around your schedule. However, it’s still a good idea to check the specific start and end dates at the beginning of the  programme.

How long will I have to complete the programme?

Though we recommend attending, if you can’t make a live talk,  don’t panic! A recording will be added within 24 hours of the  webinar’s end time.

What happens if I can’t make a live webinar?

You’ll definitely get the chance to ask questions, in fact, we  encourage it! Rather than using your microphone (it never goes  as smoothly as you expect, right?), simply type your question  using the chat function and the presenter will read it aloud.

Can I ask questions during webinars and do I need my 
microphone enabled?

Look, we get it, student life is busy! If you don’t finish your work  experience in time, there’s no need to worry! You’ll still have  access to the programme after its official end date.

What happens if I can’t finish the programme in time?

Our programmes take up around ten hours of work in total,  usually spread over a two week period. So, before signing up to a  programme, perhaps think about how much time you’ve got to  spare and what other commitments you’ll have to work around

How much work is required to complete a virtual work 
experience programme?

In this module Vodafone will take you through their philosophies around innovating mobile communication as well as the important processes for product and design.

Product, Innovation and Design

How do products evolve over time? And how do you position them in the market? In this module experts at Vodafone will help you explore these questions and more.

Product Development and Pricing

Taking a new product to market is a nerve-wracking and risky moment for every business, especially in a fast-paced, technology-driven market like mobile communication. Learn from the very best about how to plan and execute a successful product launch.

Product Launch

You'll hear all about the career opportunities available at Vodafone and what to do now so your CV and cover letter stands out later! You'll also get to hear from a junior employee who is just starting their career at Vodafone as well as their top tips.

Early Careers at Vodafone

Whether it's catching up with a grandparent, following directions to a party or closing a business deal with colleagues in China, the list of uses for technology is practically endless! Learn from experts at the forefront of innovating the industry and jump into this Virtual Work Experience with Vodafone. Put your thinking cap on and go big, the future of communication is here.

Students in Year 12, moving into year 13 are welcome to apply.

We've worked with some awesome employers on our Vodafone Virtual Work Experience. Check out some of our speakers.

In this programme you'll dive deep into the product side of the business with a strong emphasis on innovation, development and bringing to market. You'll gain an understanding of how these different business processes link together to sustain an innovative company like Vodafone and finish by learning more about potential early careers with them.

This was an amazing experience. First of all, thank you for all the hard work you put into creating this! This was really and truly an amazing experience for me to take part in. I loved every module in this programme, and the experience each one gave me. Unlike other virtual work experiences I've taken part in, this one successfully made me feel like I was a part of the company, made me feel like Vodafone was home. And I liked that feeling, that even though this was just a work experience, It made me feel like pursuing a career path with Vodafone would be just the thing for me, and this feeling of consolidation in what I want, especially in a time of such uncertainty, is euphoric. I really can't thank you enough for all the hard work you did to prepare this programme and hopefully I'll manage to thank you in person. Finally, a big special thanks to everyone who ran the webinars!

Briany

I would like to personally thank all your effort, dedication to giving us the required and extra details of information, covering almost, if not all the topics that myself and others were curious and worried about and for doing this when you probably have a large workload yourself. You may not feel it, but I for one feel ecstatic to know that there are companies such as Vodafone out there that can give wonderful opportunities to us , with members of staff this informative out there and I am grateful for all that you have each done to make this programme experience an exceptional one. Best of luck to all of you in your futures!!!

Mohhamed

I would like to say thank you very much for taking your time to create an amazing work experience for me and others to participate in. The activites were well thought out and it really showed how much time and effort you put into your activities and the virtual work experience as a whole. Greatly appreciate the work you put into the work experience and I will tell my friends about this amazing work experience if it ever happens again.

Nessrin

Students aged 14-18 are welcome to apply.

In any career you need to have self-belief and be able to overcome challenges. This module is packed with top tips for achieving this so you can be successful from the earliest stages of your career.

Self-Confidence and Resilience

What is a growth mindset? Why is it important? Discover this and much more to help you learn and grow through the early stages of your career.

Goal-Setting, Growth Mindset and Lifelong Learning

Your CV is your means of getting a foot in the door with employers and universities. That's why we're giving it adequate attention so that you have a complete idea as to how to sharpen it up and get ready for impressing the important people during your early career.

CVs & Networking

Once you've learned about writing a killer CV, you'll need some top tips to ace the interviews that a good CV can lead to. We'll help you get to grips with the whole process and give you the opportunity to practice so you can be more consistent and work to get it right.

Interviews

Barclays LifeSkills helps young people get the skills and experiences they need to enter the world of work. We've joined forces to bring you a virtual work experience programme that will teach you the core transferable skills such as self-confidence and resilience that are important for whatever career path you follow.

Sharpen the skills you need for a successful career.

After an introduction to Barclays LifeSkills, you'll learn how to identify your own skills (and the importance of this), self-confidence, resilience goal-setting, and how to develop a growth mindset for lifelong learning. To finish this all up, you'll sharpen your CV and interview skills to apply everything that you have learned.

You’ll meet professionals in live workshops and ask questions

Thank you for providing opportunity for young people like me who had no previous exposure to the industry/ This programme has some great elements that differentiates itself with other work experience providers. The programmeg particularly focuses on ourselves: our confidence, our skills and what we want to do in the future rather than just the work opportunities available and how to get there. I've really enjoyed this programme and hope there would be more opportunities into this specific field

You’ll begin the programme with an introduction to Siemens Energy and you’ll learn about why being sustainable is important to the business. After learning more about decarbonisation and recycling, you’ll attend a live webinar all about carbon, before thinking about your own pledge to reduce your carbon footprint!

Being Sustainable: Why This Is Important to Siemens Energy

When it comes to energy, there are lots of exciting and innovative developments emerging! In this module, you’ll learn more about water and wind as sources of energy before exploring the fascinating topic of hydrogen being used for power. You’ll then have a go at a fun activity all about hydrogen, before putting what you’ve learnt to the test in a quiz!

Sources of Power & Transformation

As you begin thinking about the world of work, you’ll want to know how you can get ready to progress. From building resilience to coming up with solutions, this module is all about resilience and problem solving - two fundamental skills that will help set you up for success.

Resilience & Problem Solving

Why is teamwork so important? Well, in this module you’ll find out! From how an effective team works to tips for supporting your team members, this module will help you discover not only why teamwork is a crucial skill for your employability, but also how you can develop and demonstrate it!

Teamwork

Ever wondered how, once generated, energy makes its way from A to B? In this module, you’ll learn more about how energy is transmitted and in particular, how Siemens Energy transmits energy into our homes. With topics ranging from our power supply and Smart Grids, you’ll be well equipped to finish off the module with an activity.

Energy Transmission

This module will help you understand the world of work - and how you can prepare - a bit better. You’ll have the opportunity to attend a CV skills workshop, and will use what you learn to look at your own CV.

Caring About Your Career

What do we mean when we talk about ‘communication’? Is it how we talk to someone face-to-face? Is it public speaking? Is it how your language might change in a professional environment? In fact, it’s all of these things and more! In this module you’ll learn all about communication - from body language and listening skills to visual and virtual communication. You’ll complete the module with a fun activity. 

Communication

You’ll finish off the programme by uploading your project, workbook, and reflecting on what you’ve learnt.

Sharing Your Learning Projects & Presentations

Who is Siemens Energy? Where does our power come from? How can I prepare for the world of work? To help build your understanding of these areas and more, Springpod and Siemens Energy have partnered up to bring you a fantastic programme that’ll provide you with valuable insight into areas of focus within the company, employability skills, and ways to to stand out.

This programme will cover everything from sustainability and sources of power, to energy transmission and employability skills. You’ll have the chance to take part in great quizzes and amazing activities, and you’ll even have the chance to hear from leading industry experts along the way! 

We're kicking off this event by taking a look at accountancy in the UK today; we'll share some history and explain how big this sector is, we'll even look at the current trends, so you get a well-rounded picture. You'll also hear some compelling reasons to pursue a career in accountancy, and we'll get you on the road by mapping out some of the career pathways.

Module 1: Accountancy in the UK

Whoever said money makes the world go round knew a thing or two about accountancy. Managing money effectively is the key to being successful in business, and we're going to deep dive into topics like managing change in the business environment and critical analysis - they sound tricky now, but they'll be a cakewalk soon! 

Module 2: Accountancy and business

In the following few modules, we will hear from the professionals themselves in a series of live talks. You'll be able to ask questions and take away some insider top tips to make any future applications shine.

Module 3: Hear from the professionals

This module is all about propelling you to success! We know writing a CV and filling out job applications can feel overwhelming, so we're here to help. By the end of this module, you'll be well on your way to having the CV of dreams and a cover letter to match.

Module 4: Your next steps in accountancy

Who better yet to introduce you to the world of accountancy than the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) - the leaders in accountancy. You'll hear all about the organisation and how you can succeed in this fast-paced sector. Kickstart your career in accounting and get your application in today!

This programme links to careers such as: accountant (commercial and personal), auditor, actuary, CFO, insurance broker, data analyst and more. Subject links include: maths, computing, business and economics. Note: you don't need to study these subjects to apply for or enjoy the programme this is simply to give you an idea about which subjects tie most closely to a career in accountancy.

Gain meaningful work experience