When you left school, did you even know your current job existed?
For many people, the honest answer is no. Career paths are rarely linear, and countless roles across industries remain invisible to young people as they leave education. That’s why work experience is so important—it helps bridge the gap between education and the real world, opening eyes to opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Work experience gives young people more than just something to add to their CV. It provides a first-hand understanding of how businesses operate, the variety of roles available, and the skills required to succeed. From administrative tasks to hands-on technical work, even a short placement can spark new interests and build confidence. It allows young people to ask questions, make connections, and start to imagine themselves in environments they may never have considered before.
Just as importantly, work experience plays a vital role in improving diversity and inclusion across industries. The phrase “if you can see it, you can be it” holds real weight. When young people are exposed to a wide range of roles—and the diverse people doing them—it helps break down stereotypes about who belongs in certain careers. Representation matters, and early exposure can be the difference between someone pursuing an opportunity or ruling it out entirely.
At Parmley Graham, we’re proud to support young people looking for work experience and to play a small part in shaping future career journeys. Recently, we welcomed Zoe, the daughter of one of our team members, for a three-day placement designed to give her a broad view of the business and our wider network.
Her first day began at our Halesowen site, where she met the team and got involved in some of the day-to-day administrative work, including processing orders. In the afternoon, she visited Squawk for a session with Mike Hingley, where she gained insight into another side of the industry—and even received a small goodie bag to mark the experience.
Day two took Zoe to For Farmers in Exeter, where she spent time on-site learning about plant operations. She met Adam Kinge and had the opportunity to speak with Operations Manager Martin Pile Rowland, gaining valuable insight into how large-scale processes are managed.
On her final day, Zoe visited Wienerberger in Kidderminster, where she met Melvyn Hudson and Abbie Beaver and toured the plant. The afternoon saw her at EK Automation, where she was able to get hands-on experience assisting with panel build work—an engaging way to round off her placement.
Experiences like Zoe’s highlight just how valuable work experience can be. By giving young people the chance to explore different roles, meet professionals, and step into real working environments, we can help them build confidence, broaden their horizons, and start to see the many possibilities available to them.