Year 8 pupils gain first-hand insight into local government careers through innovative programme
Twelve Year 8 students from Haileybury Turnford School in Cheshunt have taken part in a new-style work experience initiative at Broxbourne Council, offering young people an early introduction to a wide range of career opportunities within local government.
The visit forms part of a modern work experience programme coordinated by Hertfordshire Careers Hub, which operates under Hertfordshire Futures. The initiative is designed to move away from traditional week-long placements at a single organisation by providing shorter, more focused experiences that expose students to multiple workplaces and sectors.
The programme aims to help students better understand the relationship between education and employment while enabling them to explore a variety of professions before making future career decisions.
Students explore key council departments and career pathways
During their visit to Broxbourne Council, the students were given a guided tour of several departments, including Property, Planning, Finance and Housing. Department leaders provided introductions to their teams and explained the responsibilities associated with each service area.
As part of the experience, students also met council employees who are currently studying towards professional qualifications while working within the organisation. The sessions were designed to demonstrate the different routes available into employment and career development.
Council officials said the visit was intended to help students identify their interests, understand the skills required in different professions, and gain a clearer picture of the opportunities available within local government and the wider public sector.
The programme reflects growing efforts by educational and business organisations to provide younger students with practical workplace exposure at an earlier stage in their academic journey.
Council leader highlights importance of engaging young people
The visit concluded with a presentation from Broxbourne Council Leader Councillor Corina Gander, who explained her responsibilities as council leader, outlined the role of elected councillors, and discussed how council departments work together to deliver services for residents across the borough.
Students also participated in a group exercise that encouraged them to think critically about local issues and consider areas where the borough could be improved. The activity provided an opportunity for the pupils to engage with civic decision-making and contribute ideas about their local community.
Councillor Gander welcomed the initiative and highlighted the value of exposing young people to public sector careers.
“It was a pleasure to welcome the students of Haileybury Turnford School to the Council and speak to them about the work we do for our residents.
“We are proud to be one of the first workplaces to take part in this new work experience programme, which has received an overwhelmingly positive response from both students and teachers. We trust it provided some guidance and inspiration as they consider their future careers.”
New model aims to broaden career awareness
The modern work experience programme has been developed to give students access to a wider variety of workplace environments than traditional placements typically offer. Organisers believe that shorter, targeted visits can help young people make more informed choices about their future studies and career aspirations.
According to Hertfordshire Futures, employer engagement at an early age can play a significant role in broadening career awareness and challenging misconceptions about different industries.
Erica Hodges, Modern Day Work Experience Lead at Hertfordshire Futures, said: “High-quality work experience is one of the most powerful ways to inspire young people and connect them to future careers.
“By engaging them early, employers can open doors, challenge perceptions, and bring their industry to life. We are delighted to have partnered with Broxbourne Borough Council to give students an insight into how their local council operates and the wide range of rewarding careers it offers.”
Strengthening links between education and employment
The collaboration between Broxbourne Council and Hertfordshire Careers Hub highlights a broader effort to strengthen links between schools and employers across Hertfordshire. By providing practical workplace experiences, organisers hope to equip students with a better understanding of employment opportunities while helping organisations engage with future generations of workers.
As employers increasingly seek to address skills shortages and attract new talent, programmes that connect students with real-world workplaces are becoming an important component of career education.
The Broxbourne visit represents one of the early examples of the programme in action and demonstrates how local authorities can play a role in supporting young people’s career development while fostering greater awareness of public service professions.
For further information about the programme, students, parents and educators can visit the Hertfordshire Careers Hub website.
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