Is this a paid job?
No, and it is important you understand why. This is a training programme you pay for. You are not an employee or a worker, of us or of a partner company. You are under no obligation to carry out work for anyone, you set your own hours within the programme, you receive no wage, and everything you produce belongs to you and is not used commercially. That is what makes it training rather than unpaid work, and we structure it that way deliberately.
Does it guarantee a job or an interview?
No, and be sceptical of anyone who promises otherwise. What it gives you is a defined role, dated experience, a piece of work you can show, and — on satisfactory performance — a professional reference. What you do with those is up to you.
How much time does it take?
Six weeks on Work Experience, twelve on Partner Placement, at typically six to eight hours a week, with check-ins scheduled around your study or work commitments. If you have less time than that, we scale the brief rather than turn you away — say so in the eligibility check and your supervisor will pace the work to fit.
Is the reference guaranteed?
No. Reference eligibility is subject to satisfactory performance, assessed against the criteria in your role brief and shared with you at the start. Supervisors write what they can honestly say. A reference you did not earn is worth nothing to you anyway.
Is the partner placement guaranteed?
Placements depend on partner availability and on matching you to a suitable role. If we cannot place you before your cohort begins, you can either move to the Work Experience programme with the difference refunded, or take a full refund. We do not hold you in a queue indefinitely.
Does the partner company get free labour out of this?
No. Your brief is modelled on the work that company really does, but it runs alongside their live work rather than inside it, and they do not use, sell or rely on what you produce. Partners take part to meet people early and to develop their own supervisors — not for output. If a partner ever asked you to do production work, we would want to know.
I'm 16 or 17. Can I take part?
Yes, on the Work Experience programme, with a parent or guardian countersigning your application and handling payment. Partner placements are 18+ for now, because hosting under-18s brings safeguarding and insurance obligations we will not shortcut. You can apply the moment you turn 18.
Do I need prior experience or a degree?
No. The programme is designed for people who have not been given professional experience yet. The eligibility check looks at your stage, your field and your availability — not your CV.
Is it fully remote? Can I apply from outside the UK?
Both programmes are fully remote. Applicants outside the UK are welcome on the Work Experience programme provided you can join check-ins within UK working hours. Partner Placement availability outside the UK depends on the individual partner, so we confirm that before taking payment.
What if I change my mind?
You have 14 days from the date your place is confirmed to cancel, and we refund you in full. If you ask us to start your cohort inside those 14 days, you keep the right to cancel — we would simply keep a proportionate amount for the part of the programme already delivered. After the 14 days, refunds are considered case by case. Nothing here affects your statutory rights.
How is this different from a virtual internship or a course?
A course gives you material and a certificate. A simulation gives you a task nobody reviews. This gives you a named supervisor who sets deadlines, reads your work, sends it back, and then puts an assessment of you in writing.