Planning Your Activities

min read

A practical guide to designing engaging, effective activities for young people.

6 activity types
1-2hr typical workshop
15-25 ideal group size

Different activities suit different purposes. Choose the one that matches your goals:

Workplace visits

Groups visit your workplace to see what it's like and learn about different roles.

Best for: Giving students a realistic picture of your industry
Careers talks

You visit a school to talk about your career, company, or industry.

Best for: Reaching large numbers of students, raising awareness
Workshops

Hands-on sessions where students do activities or solve problems.

Best for: Developing skills, giving students a taste of the work
Mock interviews

Practice interviews to help students prepare for jobs or apprenticeships.

Best for: Year 10+ students, building confidence
Mentoring

Ongoing support for individual students over a period of time.

Best for: Deeper impact with specific students
Work experience

Students spend an extended period (usually 1-2 weeks) at your workplace.

Best for: Giving students deep insight into your industry

Activity type Typical duration Notes
Assembly talk 15-20 minutes Keep it punchy — attention spans are short
Classroom talk 30-45 minutes Include Q&A time
Workshop 1-2 hours Build in breaks for longer sessions
Workplace visit Half day or full day Include varied activities and breaks
Mock interview 10-15 mins per student Plus 5 mins for feedback
Work experience 1-2 weeks Full working days (with breaks)
Tip: It's better to be too short than too long. You can always add more next time, but losing students' attention halfway through is hard to recover from.

Think realistically about what you can manage well:

10-15 Workplace visits

Manageable for most workplaces. Larger groups need more volunteers.

15-25 Workshops

Works well. Smaller groups mean more interaction.

30+ Talks & assemblies

Can work with whole year groups (150+ for assemblies).

6-10 Mock interviews

Per interviewer per session.

Don't overcommit: It's better to offer fewer places and do it well than to stretch yourself too thin. Schools prefer quality over quantity.

Think about what you'll need to prepare:

For talks & presentations
  • Slides (keep them visual, minimal text)
  • Props or products to show
  • Handouts or information sheets
  • Contact details for follow-up
For workshops
  • Activity materials (enough for everyone)
  • Clear instructions (written and verbal)
  • Example finished products
  • Prizes or certificates (optional)
For workplace visits
  • Visitor badges
  • Safety equipment if needed
  • Information about your company
  • Refreshments if it's a long visit
For work experience
  • Structured timetable for the week
  • Welcome pack with key information
  • Tasks and projects prepared
  • Feedback forms

The most memorable activities involve students doing something, not just listening.

Ideas to engage students
  • Ask questions: Get students talking, not just you
  • Use polls: Show of hands, or tech like Mentimeter
  • Set challenges: Give groups a problem to solve
  • Use real examples: Bring things they can handle
  • Tell stories: Personal stories are more engaging than facts
  • Get them moving: Build in movement activities
What to avoid
  • Reading from slides
  • Talking for more than 10-15 minutes without interaction
  • Using jargon or acronyms
  • Talking only about the positives
  • Assuming students know about your industry
Key takeaway

Aim for interaction every 5-7 minutes. A question, a quick activity, or asking for their thoughts.

Make sure your activities are inclusive for all students:

Physical accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible venue?
  • Accessible toilets?
  • Seating available?
  • Inaccessible areas on tour?
Communication
  • Speak clearly, reasonable pace
  • Visual aids to support verbal info
  • Written materials in advance
  • Ask about impairments
Learning differences
  • Clear, simple instructions
  • Break activities into steps
  • Allow extra time if needed
  • Offer alternatives
Ask the school in advance if any students have additional needs you should be aware of.

If students are visiting your workplace, you need to consider health and safety.

What to think about

  • Hazards: What could potentially cause harm? (machinery, chemicals, heights, traffic)
  • Who's at risk: Young people may be more at risk — they're unfamiliar with workplace hazards
  • Controls: What will you do to reduce the risk? (supervision, PPE, restricted areas)

Practical steps

  1. Walk through the visit route and identify any hazards
  2. Decide which areas students can and can't access
  3. Ensure adequate supervision (typically 1 adult per 10-15 students)
  4. Brief students on safety rules at the start
  5. Have a plan for emergencies (fire exits, first aid, meeting points)
School responsibilities: Schools are also responsible for risk-assessing trips. They may ask you for information about your workplace and any hazards.
Ready to plan your activity?
Create an opportunity or use our Work Experience Planner for structured placements.
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