Access All AreasAEG has described a pilot of The Power of Events’ new Experience of Work initiative as being a great success, having hosted the emergent scheme at The O2 arena.
The Power of Events (POE) said its Experience of Work initiative was designed to provide a structured workplace experience for young people and test a new model for employer engagement across the UK events industry. A progression from POE’s Schools Engagement Programme, the one-day Experience of Work scheme was designed to help employers open their doors to young people in a way that is practical, impactful and manageable to deliver.
The pilot of the Experience of Work initiative at The O2 saw a group of young people go behind the scenes to see the workings of the venue and hear from professionals specialising in a range of roles and departments. POE said that throughout the visit, pupils were introduced to the scale, complexity and variety of careers that help power major venues and live events, helping to challenge assumptions, broaden horizons and bring the industry to life in a tangible and memorable way.
Following The O2 pilot, POE is working to refine the Experience of Work model ahead of a wider rollout launch in late summer. It said the long-term ambition is to create a nationally supported framework that enables more organisations across the UK events industry to offer structured workplace experiences to young people in offices, venues, warehouses, production environments, and live event contexts.
It said the combination of the Schools Engagement Programme followed by Experience of Work aligns directly with the new Equalex Framework Objectives – a new mandate for schools to deliver a three stage approach to careers for all young people prior to leaving school.
“The O2 was an incredible first partner for our Experience of Work pilot because they immediately understood what we were trying to achieve,” said POE schools programme lead Sophie Beasor. “Not just showing young people a brilliant venue, but giving them a genuinely meaningful insight into the people, roles and pathways that make this industry possible. This pilot was about proving that, with the right structure and support, employers can create experiences that are inspiring, manageable and genuinely impactful. We’re really excited about what this could become as we refine the model and begin to scale it with partners across the UK.”
The O2 SVP & GM Steve Sayer said POE has embraced the government’s agenda around expanding opportunities for young people to experience the world of work: “It has been fantastic partnering with them as they begin building on their wide reaching school engagement programme, creating even more meaningful pathways into the sector.”