Work Experience at HM Treasury
04 November 2015
Wednesday 4 November 2015
This half term London Youth and HM Treasury collaborated on a work experience programme to provide young Londoners with employability skills and experience of the working world. The work experience programme, now in its second year gave 10 young people in London a week-long taste of what life is like working in the Treasury.
After an induction day the previous week, the young people spent their placement…
- Finding out about the work of the Treasury from the people behind the scenes
- Completing skills sessions to help develop their presentation skills.
- Taking part in an EU negotiations exercise about chocolate and a spending review task
- Listening to a careers talk from Sir Nicholas Macpherson, the Permanent Secretary of the Treasury
- Visiting 10 Downing street!
The work experience programme is the first of its kind at the Treasury and has already proven to be a successful springboard onto a career in the civil service. One alumnus of the programme was able to secure a full-time one year apprenticeship at the Treasury following their completion of the programme last year.
Commenting on the programme Jay Ogunsola, a current participant said, “I had no idea what to expect because I wasn’t completely sure on what the Treasury did. But now I know a lot about public spending and I’ve also learnt about all the potential routes of employment into the Treasury including apprenticeships which I’d never considered before.”
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Greg Hands said,“I am delighted that the Treasury and London Youth have come together again to provide and invaluable work experience programme. I hope it inspired these young Londoners, improved their skills and gave them an insight into life in the Treasury. Programmes like this are a key part of the government’s plan to ensure young people across the country have the right skills and exposure to reach their full potential and excel in their future careers.”
Steph Taylor, Head of Talent Match London, said, “We are really excited to be working again with the Treasury on this pioneering opportunity, which we hope will break down barriers and misconceptions about working in government. Many of the young people we work with in our member clubs, walk pass these institutions everyday but do not have any ideas about the variety of roles within the civil service nor the entry requirements for them”.
“A lack of understanding of the working world is a significant barrier to young people finding and keeping employment. Without the opportunity to explore and try out different career options many young people will simply miss out on the opportunities available to them. We call on other employers to follow the lead of the Treasury”.