As part of National Work Experience week, Boots is highlighting the recent launch of BootsCamp, a 6-month virtual work experience programme providing valuable opportunities for young people from all over the UK to help prepare them for their future.
The BootsCamp programme aims to provide more accessibility, greater reach and provide a more holistic approach to work experience at Boots than traditional in-store placements. Boots is delighted to be working with social mobility charity Speakers for Schools to deliver BootsCamp, enabling it to have a greater impact within schools and colleges across the UK.
BootsCamp connects over 300 young people aged between 14-19 years from the communities Boots serves in a multi-stage, multi-level work experience programme. Through engaging and interactive sessions, participants will find out more about Boots, the life changing work we do and hear from some of our inspiring colleagues.
Ben Horner, HR Director at Boots UK said: “Boots has been caring for customers and patients in our communities for over 170 years. Today, we do this through a variety of different interactions in our pharmacies, our opticians, our beauty halls and our online platforms to name just a few. Bootscamp offers young people an opportunity to network with our amazing teams to gain first-hand experience and inspiration from our teams who work in those areas and to help make their own future career choices.”
Speakers for Schools has a wide reach to 75% of UK schools and colleges along with local expert teams actively supporting and engaging with young pupils. The charity offers a range of activities, including inspirational talks from influential figures (including Baroness Floella Benjamin, Gareth Southgate, CeCe Sammy and Will Young) via their Inspiration programme, work experience programmes linking state schools to industry leading companies, and working with support partners to help to level the playing for your people from all backgrounds.
Jason Elsom, Chief Executive Officer, Speakers for Schools, said: “We are delighted to work with Boots, an iconic employer, on such an exciting programme for young people. Boots Camp will allow young people to experience every aspect of the business from the experts. We hope more employers join our virtual work experience programme to broaden the horizons of young people across the UK.”
During the programme, participants develop essential skills using the Skills Builder Universal Framework, such as communication, creativity and problem solving, all while taking part in a range of interactive online tools such as polls, Q&A sessions and projects.
BootsCamp offers a great opportunity to ignite the career ambitions and confidence of young people and provides them with an experience to include on their CV and help them in future interviews. It also allows us to connect with our potential future workforce, find out what’s important to them and most importantly learn from them.