Work Experience
Design Your Future
Our one-week Work Experience Programme is designed for young people aged 15- 18 who want to explore future careers, build confidence and develop real workplace skills.
Taking place at Northern Gas Networks (Thorpe Park), the programme gives students hands‑on experience of how a large organisation works, while learning how to solve real-world problems that matter to customers and communities.
This is not a “sit and watch” programme. It’s interactive, practical and designed to help young people take their next steps with confidence.
Intake for this summer’s work experience programme has now closed. We’ll be in touch shortly to let you know the outcome of your application.
What You'll Learn
During the week, students will:
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Develop creative problem-solving skills using the Design Thinking framework.
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Explore a wide range of careers across the energy and gas sector.
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Build essential employability skills, including teamwork, communication, ideation, and presenting ideas.
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Experience a full project cycle, from research and interviews to prototyping and pitching.
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Gain confidence working with professionals and sharing ideas.
How the Week Works
The programme is structured around Design Thinking, a widely used approach that organisations use to tackle complex challenges.
Students work in small teams throughout the week, supported by NGN colleagues and subject experts.
The Design Thinking Journey
Each day balances learning, career insight, and practical experience.
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09:30 – 11:00
Design Thinking workshop, interactive, activity-based sessions.
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11:10 – 12:15
Careers activities, panels and demonstrations, learning with NGN colleagues.
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12:15 – 13:00
Lunch
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13:00 – 16:00
Department placements, spend time with real teams doing real work.
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16:00 – 16:30
Group work, apply learning to your team challenge.
The Team Challenge
Students work in groups on one of two real business challenges linked to NGN’s priorities:
Net Zero: How can customer behaviour support the journey to Net Zero?
Fuel Poverty : How can organisations better support customers during financially challenging times?
Teams research, develop, and refine their ideas before pitching them at the end of the week.
Careers You'll Explore
Across the week, students will meet colleagues working in a variety of roles.
This helps students understand the wide range of career paths available in the energy sector, not just technical roles.
Students will gain insights into the following departments:
The Final Day
The final day is where everything students have learnt from the week comes together. After pitching, the week ends with prizes and a celebration of everyone’s achievements.
On the final day, students will:
Who is The Work Experience Programme For?
No previous experience is required. Just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved.
This programme is suitable for students aged 15- 18 who:
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Are curious about how businesses work.
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Enjoy problem-solving and working in teams.
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Want to explore future career options.
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Are keen to build confidence and workplace skills.
FAQs
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What is the work experience programme?
The NGN work experience programme is a structured week of hands-on workshops, career exposure from across the business, projects and placements.
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How long is the work experience?
It is a one-week experience programme running Monday to Friday, 09.30-16.30.
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What experience or knowledge do I need to do the work experience?
No experience needed just curiosity.
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What will I receive on the programme?
- Employability skills
- Teamwork, creative problem solving, communication, presentation skills
- Opportunities to speak with colleagues from operations, HR, Strategy, Engineering, Communications etc
- Industrial Cadets Silver Digital badge to add to your CV
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Will my travel costs be covered?
If you live within a 20 mile radius of our office, your travel expenses will be reimbursed.
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When will I receive my accreditation digital badge?
Within 14 days of the programme completion.