Newcastle University

A breakfast briefing with the Prime Minister was an unusual start to the week for one Business School student.

Frances Revel, who is currently studying BSc Marketing, attended the Young Person's Guarantee Scheme launch at Downing Street on the 25th January 2010 and was invited to discuss her feelings on work expereince.

Frances is currently undertaking a 12 month work placement  for IBM in London between the second and third years of her degree, and was invited along with the company's people manager, Vanessa Gough.

She said: "It's very useful to be able to apply what you are learning to work, especially with such a vocational degree. I think if I've got a year under my belt in the workplace it helps with the transition between university and work and will look fantastic on my CV

"I know a lot of young people who have just graduated and are finding it hard to get work because they didn't do any work experience or placements. They are talented people but it's difficult at the moment.

"That's why I'm trying to make the most of the opportunities I've got."

Along with interns from four other companies, she met Gordon Brown, Lord Mandelson and Yvette Cooper, and spoke with them about her experiences and how she felt about work experience in general.

"It was a brilliant experience, and good to know that the government is keen to improve the career prospects of young people across the country, through encouraging businesses to take more students on placement, as well as apprenticeships and other forms of crucial work experience" she added.

The scheme is part of the wider Backing Young Britain campaign and is designed to target last summer's school and university leavers who have not been able to find work. Under the scheme, every young person who has been unemployed for at least six months will be guaranteed an offer of a job, training or work experience from this week, with more employers being encouraged to take on younger workers.