During National Careers Week, Associated British Ports, the UK’s leading port operator, has launched a new virtual work experience programme that gives students a flexible way to explore how Britain’s ports work and the careers linked to them.

The online programme, created with Talent XP, uses interactive modules to introduce students to the role of our ports in the movement of goods and the UK’s energy transition as well as ABP’s approach to safety and wellbeing. Designed with accessibility in mind, students can complete the activities on a computer, tablet or phone and receive a certificate at the end.

The virtual work experience widens access for young people who may not be able to visit ports in person. It removes barriers for students who want to understand the sector and explore future roles.

ABP’s programme includes four modules designed to give students insight into key parts of the business:

• Keeping Britain Trading, which explains how goods move through ports and the scale of ABP’s national operations.
• Enabling the Energy Transition, which explores what the energy transition means and how ABP supports renewable projects like offshore wind, shaping greener careers.
• Home Safe Every Day, which explores ABP’s safety-first culture, life-saving rules and wellbeing initiatives that make it a great place to work.
• Careers at ABP, which gives students the opportunity to hear about the different pathways available at ABP, as well as hearing the experiences of ABP’s apprentices and graduates.

The programme also enables ABP to stay in touch with students who complete the modules and encourage them to explore future opportunities.

Rachael Parr, Group HR Director at ABP, said:

“Our goal is to open the world of ports to a much wider group of young people. Many students have never seen a port or understood the careers linked to maritime logistics. This programme gives them a simple and engaging way to learn, wherever they live.

“ABP offers a range of early career opportunities across its ports, including apprenticeships, graduate roles and entry pathways into engineering, marine operations, commercial, and safety. The virtual programme gives students a starting point to learn about these routes and understand where their interests fit within the industry.”