Trust Bank
What is work experience?
Work experience allows people to experience what it’s like to carry out a job, supervised by staff who already work in the environment.
Work experience can vary from ‘tasters’,, which last just half a day through to programmes that last a week. Some work experience placements offer a hands-on experience, while others provide insights through conversations and observation. All can provide a valuable experience for anyone thinking of a clinical or non-clinical career in the health sector.
Work experience, our other offers and who can apply
Please see our table below showing the different ways we can support you and please check that you qualify. All applicants must be either living or studying in Dorset.
| Age |
Work experience (up to one week) |
Experience: NHS Programmes | Professional phone conversations | NHS open evenings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 14 | X | X | X | ✔ |
| 14-16 | ✔ | X | ✔ | ✔ |
| 16-18 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 18+ |
✔ (if attached to an education programme) |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
What are the benefits?
It is a chance for you to find out more about the work we do, which could potentially open a door into joining a healthcare service. You will meet new people, have fresh experiences and encounter unfamiliar situations, learning about yourself as well as the work involved. It allows you to explore a role that may interest you – people often find this helps them decide on their study path and, in some cases, they end up applying for a job with us further down the line. Either way, people almost always enjoy their work experience with us.
How to apply for work experience?
We are a large organisation which works from hundreds of sites across Dorset. Please apply directly to the site or department you are interested in either via email or post, using our services and sites page as a guide.
Please ensure you include the dates you wish to be there and your contact details. If your chosen service is able to help, it will send you the application form to complete. Please note, however, that we can accept only a limited number of students per year. Placements are dependent on the services being able to host you, so we cannot always guarantee a placement. We will require at least eight weeks’ notice to arrange a placement, so please apply as early as you can.
Experience: NHS Programmes
These two- to four-day programmes are available for Year 12 students to apply for throughout the year, and give an introduction and insight into the NHS as well as specific career paths within the organisation. We currently have annual programmes covering psychiatry and nursing, and are developing new programmes including allied health, IT and psychological professions.
We promote these opportunities through local schools when applications are open for the specific programmes, but if you would like further information in the meantime, contact us at dhc.
Phone conversations
You can also speak to someone in the Trust who works in a particular role that interests you. They could give you some advice about what the job is like and the qualifications required. To request this, please email dhc.
School visits/mock interviews
Our team regularly supports school events and runs mock interview sessions, working closely with careers advisors. If you would like us to arrange a visit with your school or learning provider, contact us at dhc.