Get involved

In July 2025 we are offering a very exciting opportunity to take part in a Placement with Parliamentary Digital Services, who provide information and Digital Service to the House of Commons and House of Lords.

Please read the information below, including the person specification before applying.

Parliamentary Digital Services

Date: 14 – 18 July 2025

Location: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

Sector: Digital

Places available: 12

Age Range: Open to Year 12 Students (16+)

Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm (likely to be an earlier start on the first day)

Stipend: £175

The Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS) provides information and Digital Services to Parliament (both the House of Commons and the House of Lords). Our team of over 450 provides support in a number of ways, including:

• providing computer equipment and accessories (including 24/7 technical support) to everyone who works here, which includes MPs, Lords and their staff
• designing and developing specialist software to support the work of Parliament
• running the Parliament website and intranet · keeping Parliament cyber secure
• planning for current and future technology needs
• setting the strategic direction for digital in Parliament

Please read the information below carefully before submitting your application:

Placement description

Our one-week programme will centre around developing a proposal for a digital project – a realistic workplace scenario – which will provide students with an opportunity to learn, develop, and put their skills into practice.

Students will work with each other in small teams on this project. Throughout the week, you will meet several teams who work in a wide variety of roles in PDS (e.g. project management, technical roles, cyber security, engagement etc.). You will find out more about what they do, but you won’t just be listening to them talk – these meetings will be linked to the project, so you will need to actively engage and ask questions to help you complete the project. At the end of the week, you will present your project work, alongside your team, to a small group of PDS colleagues.

You will have some time (a day or half-day) to spend shadowing a PDS team – we will try to accommodate your interests and preferences on this as far as possible.

You will have the chance to work on your CV and practise career-related activities in a supportive careers workshop.

On top of all that, you will be given a tour of the UK Parliament, during which you will find out about the ways in which digital supports the wider work of Parliament. You will watch Parliament in session, and we hope to introduce you to some senior figures.

Overall, we aim to give you an engaging, interesting, and sometimes challenging, experience of our unique but modern work environment; introduce you to our people, and the varied career opportunities in digital and in the UK Parliament; and give you useful skills and guidance for your future career, whatever that may be.

This is a professional environment and we expect you to be respectful of that and engage with the activities and the people you meet in a professional way. It is also a friendly and supportive workplace – we will be supportive of you and we ask you to be supportive of each other.

You can read about the experience of one of last year’s participants on our blog: https://pds.blog.parliament.uk/2025/01/23/work-experience-at-parliamentary-digital-service-a-students-perspective/

Person specification

All applicants must be in Year 12 and 16 years old or older

Interest in digital

Applicants should have an interest in a career in digital, although there is no need-to-know what specific role or area as the programme will help participants explore different roles.

PDS values

We ask candidates to share our PDS values:

• Confidence - Be motivated towards developing your skills, experiences, and knowledge and take pride in your work and learning.
• Care - A commitment to caring for yourself and others, and a desire to be able help others, particularly in a digital context.
• Curiosity - Be willing to learn about digital and Parliament during the week, making the most of opportunities to ask questions, learn and listen.
• Community - Work as a team. Listen to and be respectful of others’ contributions. Contribute and collaborate.

Social mobility

This is a social mobility work experience scheme. This means our priority is to offer students from lower income or less advantaged backgrounds an opportunity that will help them to develop their skills and succeed in whatever they do next.

To apply, you’ll need to meet or have met one of the following criteria (at any point in your life):

• have been on free school meals
• have been in care
• neither of your parents/carers are educated to degree level
• The main earner in your household has received income, housing or disability benefits.
• If you don’t fit any of these criteria but you feel significantly less advantaged for another reason, you can share details of this and we will consider this.

Adjustments and support

We encourage applications from students with a disability, including neurodiversity or mental health issues. We can discuss adjustments or support with you to help you to participate and get the most out of the experience.

Security clearance

Due to the nature of this placement all successful applicants will need to submit a security check. Teach First and PDS will support you to do this, but you will be required to meet strict deadlines for all checks and documents.

Check out their website for more details.

How to Apply

Click here to apply. 

Applications close at 12 noon on Monday 12 April 2025.

Any questions?  

Email us at workexperience@teachfirst.org.uk

Why take part?

We’re one of the richest nations in the world, so why aren’t all our young people getting the opportunities they deserve? The poorest schoolchildren don’t have the role models, support and connections they need to succeed. Doors are closed to them before they know they exist – and COVID-19 has only made this worse.

• In a recent Prince’s Trust poll, 46% of young people said finding a job now feels impossible.
• 63% of teachers believe that opportunities for young people to meet a range of employers from different sectors are more vital than ever (Teacher Tapp, July 2020).
• The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) predicts youth unemployment is soon set to double, bringing the total of unemployed young people to over a million.

The Teach First Work Experience Programme gives pupils from schools in disadvantaged communities unforgettable opportunities to spend a week with some of the country’s most exciting companies.

Companies will give pupils the chance to experience their industry and give an insight into the workplace, either virtually or in-person. For virtual placements, Teach First will make sure that every pupil that takes part has access to a computer and internet in order to take part.

By taking part, pupils will:

• develop important professional skills for the modern workplace
• build employability and soft skills – such as communication, teamwork, confidence and time management – through project work and a variety of other working styles
• develop awareness and understanding of the world of work and different career options
• be paid a stipend if they successfully complete the week
• be given a free internet dongle to help them access excellent internet (for virtual placements)
• receive an evaluation of their performance at the end of the week

Get involved

In July 2025 we are offering a very exciting opportunity to take part in a Placement with Parliamentary Digital Services, who provide information and Digital Service to the House of Commons and House of Lords.

Please read the information below, including the person specification before applying.

Parliamentary Digital Services

Date: 14 – 18 July 2025

Location: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

Sector: Digital

Places available: 12

Age Range: Open to Year 12 Students (16+)

Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm (likely to be an earlier start on the first day)

Stipend: £175

The Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS) provides information and Digital Services to Parliament (both the House of Commons and the House of Lords). Our team of over 450 provides support in a number of ways, including:

• providing computer equipment and accessories (including 24/7 technical support) to everyone who works here, which includes MPs, Lords and their staff
• designing and developing specialist software to support the work of Parliament
• running the Parliament website and intranet · keeping Parliament cyber secure
• planning for current and future technology needs
• setting the strategic direction for digital in Parliament

Please read the information below carefully before submitting your application:

Placement description

Our one-week programme will centre around developing a proposal for a digital project – a realistic workplace scenario – which will provide students with an opportunity to learn, develop, and put their skills into practice.

Students will work with each other in small teams on this project. Throughout the week, you will meet several teams who work in a wide variety of roles in PDS (e.g. project management, technical roles, cyber security, engagement etc.). You will find out more about what they do, but you won’t just be listening to them talk – these meetings will be linked to the project, so you will need to actively engage and ask questions to help you complete the project. At the end of the week, you will present your project work, alongside your team, to a small group of PDS colleagues.

You will have some time (a day or half-day) to spend shadowing a PDS team – we will try to accommodate your interests and preferences on this as far as possible.

You will have the chance to work on your CV and practise career-related activities in a supportive careers workshop.

On top of all that, you will be given a tour of the UK Parliament, during which you will find out about the ways in which digital supports the wider work of Parliament. You will watch Parliament in session, and we hope to introduce you to some senior figures.

Overall, we aim to give you an engaging, interesting, and sometimes challenging, experience of our unique but modern work environment; introduce you to our people, and the varied career opportunities in digital and in the UK Parliament; and give you useful skills and guidance for your future career, whatever that may be.

This is a professional environment and we expect you to be respectful of that and engage with the activities and the people you meet in a professional way. It is also a friendly and supportive workplace – we will be supportive of you and we ask you to be supportive of each other.

You can read about the experience of one of last year’s participants on our blog: https://pds.blog.parliament.uk/2025/01/23/work-experience-at-parliamentary-digital-service-a-students-perspective/

Person specification

All applicants must be in Year 12 and 16 years old or older

Interest in digital

Applicants should have an interest in a career in digital, although there is no need-to-know what specific role or area as the programme will help participants explore different roles.

PDS values

We ask candidates to share our PDS values:

• Confidence - Be motivated towards developing your skills, experiences, and knowledge and take pride in your work and learning.
• Care - A commitment to caring for yourself and others, and a desire to be able help others, particularly in a digital context.
• Curiosity - Be willing to learn about digital and Parliament during the week, making the most of opportunities to ask questions, learn and listen.
• Community - Work as a team. Listen to and be respectful of others’ contributions. Contribute and collaborate.

Social mobility

This is a social mobility work experience scheme. This means our priority is to offer students from lower income or less advantaged backgrounds an opportunity that will help them to develop their skills and succeed in whatever they do next.

To apply, you’ll need to meet or have met one of the following criteria (at any point in your life):

• have been on free school meals
• have been in care
• neither of your parents/carers are educated to degree level
• The main earner in your household has received income, housing or disability benefits.
• If you don’t fit any of these criteria but you feel significantly less advantaged for another reason, you can share details of this and we will consider this.

Adjustments and support

We encourage applications from students with a disability, including neurodiversity or mental health issues. We can discuss adjustments or support with you to help you to participate and get the most out of the experience.

Security clearance

Due to the nature of this placement all successful applicants will need to submit a security check. Teach First and PDS will support you to do this, but you will be required to meet strict deadlines for all checks and documents.

Check out their website for more details.

How to Apply

Click here to apply. 

Applications close at 12 noon on Monday 12 April 2025.

Any questions?  

Email us at workexperience@teachfirst.org.uk

Why take part?

Just one week learning with you could change a young person’s future.

We know that when we get the foundations right for disadvantaged pupils we can unlock the potential of every single young person. That’s why we’re always looking for businesses interested in hosting work experience placements.

Our work experience programme, in partnership with the AKO Foundation, is designed to inspire and motivate bright young pupils from schools in low-income communities. By hosting a one-week placement, you’ll provide building blocks towards a successful career.

The difference you could make

By offering work experience opportunities at your organisation, you’ll be able to help young people by:

• supporting even more of them to kick start their careers
• giving them the chance to meet people from across the UK, reflecting real-life workplace experiences
• motivating them to do well at school after experiencing a challenging, enjoyable and inspiring placement

Plus, through virtual work experience, with no location or travel restrictions holding them back, pupils in remote areas can be reached, giving them access to a wider range of sectors and roles.

Why work with Teach First?

• You’ll reach pupils in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the country.
• You’ll be partnering with an organisation with proven success of making education fair for almost twenty years.
• Your donation to Teach First means that we can provide your business with all the necessary support to help you deliver a great week of work experience, including advice and guidance on communications with pupils, safeguarding and consultation on content.

Want to host a future placement?

Email us at workexperience@teachfirst.org.uk.