Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers with Thales in the UK's Virtual Work Experience Programme

In today's digital world, having highly trained engineers with the right skills is crucial. The UK is currently facing a significant technology and engineering skills gap, so at Thales, we're all about investing in the next generation of bright minds so they have what they need to be leaders in our industry.

This is why we've created the Thales Virtual Work Experience programme. It provides interesting and engaging sessions that give young people across the UK a great, fun, and future-focused space to develop their needed skills. It's all about making sure the next generation is ready for the world of tech and engineering!

Shaping Tomorrow's Innovators

Our UK Virtual Work Experience programme provides young people aged 15-19, with diverse backgrounds and experiences, a valuable and exciting opportunity. Even though the programme is centred around an engineering challenge—specifically designing a CubeSat to measure environmental factors in space—the main focus is on developing important interpersonal skills, such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication - skills that are crucial in any career.

For those unfamiliar with it, a CubeSat is a miniaturised satellite used for space research. It's small, typically about the size of a shoebox, and is designed to perform various tasks, such as collecting environmental data. Working on a CubeSat project allows participants to engage with real-world engineering challenges and understand the principles of satellite design and space exploration.

By working on a project that mirrors real-world engineering challenges, the students gain insights into the engineering process and feel prepared and confident, even if they still need to acquire specific technical skills.

This experience will be a strong reference during job interviews or assessment centres, laying a solid foundation for future career opportunities. Unlike traditional face-to-face work experience, which usually accommodates about 15 participants, the virtual format allows us to reach a much larger audience. This year alone, 193 participants took part in the programme.

This initiative is part of our broader mission to tackle diversity challenges in engineering and technology, making sure that everyone, regardless of background, has the chance to explore and thrive in these fields.

Bringing Remote Collaboration to Life

One of the great things about the Virtual Work Experience is that it gives you a taste of what it's like to work remotely, which is a big part of modern careers. You'll get to work on group projects with students from different parts of the country, boosting your teamwork skills and giving you a sense of what it's like to work in a virtual setting. Our programme is really interactive, unlike many other virtual experiences that only use pre-recorded content. With Thales, you'll have live sessions with Thales mentors from all over the country, getting real-time guidance and feedback.

Aimee Smith, Thales UK's Social Impact Manager, explains the programme's broader significance:

Our Virtual Work Experience programme is about making engineering accessible and inspiring for young people from all backgrounds. By offering a unique, interactive experience across the UK, we're showcasing what Thales can offer and helping participants develop essential skills to carry forward into any career. Seeing such a diverse group of students come together, collaborate on real-world engineering challenges, and leave with a renewed sense of confidence and direction is incredibly rewarding. This programme truly exemplifies our commitment to social impact and ensuring that the next generation is well-equipped to lead in a rapidly changing world.

Paving the Way for Future Engineers

Once you have completed the programme, students receive a Thales-branded certificate, which they can use in future job applications. They are also encouraged to register on our Future Talent platform to stay updated about Early Careers opportunities at Thales.

Thales' Virtual Work Experience offers more than just a learning opportunity; it's a stepping stone for young people to explore the exciting world of STEM and the range of career opportunities available.

Interested in Engineering Opportunities?

Whether you're a student considering a career in engineering or a professional looking to join a leading technology company, we welcome you to explore how you can be part of something bigger.

Visit our careers page for more information here.