A NEW website has opened to promote work experience opportunities in Worcestershire.

The County Council's skills central site is a new platform that allows local businesses to advertise their work experience opportunities so students can apply for like they would a normal job. The site has 748 work experience opportunities advertised currently with all schools in Worcestershire signed up to enable their students to search for a placement that interests them most.

Simon Geraghty, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure said: "Getting the right work experience and career advice is vitally important if we are to grow our own talent within the county. The skills central website is a brilliant tool to give businesses the freedom to advertise their available placements and provides students with the experience of applying for an opportunity like they would a normal job.

"We're very excited about the launch of the careers central app too. It's the first of its kind to give students everything they want to know about a job or industry at their fingertips and we hope it will give them all they need to progress in to their chosen field."

The county council's Digital Innovation team recently hosted two work experience students on a week-long placement to learn about the digital developments within the local authority. While there they worked on databases, spreadsheets and servers to learn about the council's current website and the type of software being used internally. Koray Kucuker, aged 17 of The Chase in Malvern, said: "A work experience placement was for my future career. It's something to add to your CV and gives you a better chance to get employed later in life."

James Robinson, also 17 and from The Chase added: "It's a great life skill that helps you get to grips with a work environment – and something different than going to school."

The council teams have also been developing the careers central app which allows students to learn about the key industries and find out how they can progress in to their chosen career. The app lists 240 different job profiles and provides information on typical salary, working hours and the necessary qualifications, experience and training needed to progress to each level. The app is the first of its kind in the UK and the council hopes it will make it easier for students to learn about a range of careers and know what they need to do get the job of their choice.