Zest delivers work experience programmes to nurture future talent

Zest is delivering a number of work experience programmes to nurture career aspirations and support personal and professional development. Our recent projects have included hosting a hybrid work experience placement for a sixth form pupil and developing a work experience model for 28 year nine pupils in partnership with Speakers for Schools.

Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Alfie King from Scarborough Sixth Form College for an enriching work experience placement. Alfie’s journey began with a comprehensive corporate induction and welcome meal alongside other Zestees at our office in Leeds.

Throughout his placement, Alfie was assigned daily tasks alongside a main project, tailored to his interests as identified in his induction meeting. This included attending workshops with his mentor focusing on green careers and personal branding. He also had the opportunity to learn more about individual roles; Field Service Engineer, Mark Bates, was on hand to provide support and answer any questions related to his experience at Zest and his career pathway.

Alfie’s hard work culminated in a presentation to our CEO, Robin Heap, showcasing his innovative approach and potential. The placement delivered valuable insights into our hybrid working model, equipping Alfie with the adaptability needed for future roles in the evolving work landscape.  

We have also worked in partnership with Speakers for Schools and King James's School, Knaresborough in North Yorkshire to create an engaging work experience model for 28 Year 9 students. The ‘Your Sustainable Future’ program incorporated school engagement, a workplace visit, and the completion of a project. Our initiative was supported by Speakers for Schools; York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and The Careers & Enterprise Company.

During our first school visit, we introduced Zest, presented our Achieving Net Zero workshop, and initiated the ‘Future of Electric Vehicle Charging’ project, which tasked the students with designing an innovative EV charging hub to anticipate future trends in EV charging and address current challenges.

The programme offered opportunities to develop critical thinking, research, design, presentation, and teamwork skills, as well as gaining practical experience in problem-solving, innovation, and project management. Initiatives like these are crucial for providing valuable work experience, especially in ensuring students gain the exposure and diverse experiences they need from emerging industries.

As a work experience provider Zest is committed to investing in young talent and providing more opportunities for students to gain worthwhile work experience. We believe we can create a community of skilled, motivated, and innovative professionals who will drive our industry forward and inspire the next generation of professionals through enriching work experience placements.

‍