In July 2024, Amazon launched the Step Up work experience programme in the UK, with 24 students taking on a week-long placement at the company. Since then, the programme has significantly expanded, providing young people first-hand experience of the workplace and helping them to explore career opportunities, expand their networks, and develop new skills.
Seperate to Step Up, Amazon also offers T Level Placements, which are longer industry placements taken after GCSEs, lasting 9 weeks and preparing students for the world of work.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What work experience does Amazon offer in the UK?
Step Up is Amazon’s work experience programme in the UK, available for young people aged 14-25, primarily aimed at those coming from less privileged backgrounds. By the end of 2025, it will have supported 250 in-person placements across the company.
The work experience programme is broken down into two offerings – Step Up For Schools and Step Up + Partner.
Step Up For Schools
Who can participate?
This work experience programme is aimed at school students aged 14-15 years old (Year 10 pupils). It focuses on disadvantaged and underserved communities, with at least half of the students coming from lower socioeconomic backgrounds (they have free school meals, receive the pupil premium grant, or are looked after children). Throughout 2025, 120 students will take part in Step Up For Schools.
What does it involve?
The Step Up For Schools programme sees students spend a week at Amazon, taking part in both work placement and inspiration activities. Following an onboarding day where the students learn about Amazon’s culture and processes, they will participate in skills labs (which focus on digital and employability skills) and team challenges (where they can practice the skills needed for their chosen profession).
During the week, the students are also able to shadow a workplace mentor who will immerse them in the day-to-day work of an Amazon employee. There are also networking opportunities where the students can interact with Amazon employees from different business areas.
As part of the programme, students will also be given access to AWS Educate and Placer Skills Academy, online platforms that will help them develop advanced digital and soft skills.
How do you apply?
Applications for the Step Up For Schools programme are managed through the schools themselves. The schools identify eligible candidates and then they apply for the placements through the schools by completing an application form that focuses on Amazon’s leadership principles. You must be in Year 10 to participate.
How do schools get involved?
For the Step Up For Schools programme, Amazon works with local schools in underserved communities, being chosen based on location.
Step Up + Partner
Who can participate?
The Step Up + Partner programme offers work experience placements for young people aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Aimed at people from disadvantaged backgrounds, on this programme Amazon works with charity partners such as The King’s Trust, Media Trust, and Forces For Employment.
What does it involve?
Participants on this programme spend a week at Amazon, receiving the opportunity to explore their career interests by immersing themselves in a professional environment. Combining skills training with mentorship and practical challenges, participants also get to network with industry professionals as gain an understanding of what day-to-day work looks like in the field they are interested in pursuing.
Once the week-long placement is over, participants do continue to receive support via ‘Keep In Touch’ (KIT) days. This includes ongoing mentoring from carefully matched mentors, detailed CV reviews with actionable feedback, personalised career guidance, and dedicated support for apprenticeship applications.
All participates also receive access to the AWS Educate and Placer Skills Academy online platforms, so they can further develop advanced digital and soft skills.
How do you apply?
Our charity partners manage applications for the programme, identifying and supporting candidates. The application process involves a skills assessment and evaluation.
How do charities get involved?
For this programme, Amazon partners with established charitable organisations in the UK. Not only do they help identify and support participants, but they also collaborate with Amazon to both develop and deliver the programme too.
T Level placements
Who can participate?
This programme is aimed at students aged 16-18 who are completing T Levels in digital, business, finance, and media fields. Launched in 2020 by the UK government, T Levels are two-year vocational qualifications for 16-19 year olds in England, designed to offer a technical alternative to A-Levels and apprenticeships. Amazon’s T Level placements are offered in both London and Manchester.
What does it involve?
Students spend nine weeks with Amazon, being placed within a team where they will work on an individual project. In addition to this, they will also take part in a small group project and have access to the AWS Educate Skills Hub. Through this they can earn a Cloud Practitioner certification either during the placement or shortly after.
How do you apply?
Applications for the T Level placements open annually, asking students to submit answers to a series of questions and submit their CV. Following this, students will take part in assessment centres as part of the selection process.
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