A NEW programme aimed at re-inventing work experience is being launched.

Charity Speakers for Schools said more than 25,000 young people across the country will take part in models of work experience that are different from the traditional one-off event.

The programme, backed by £2million from the Department for Education, follows calls to reach more young people, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

It will be led by the Careers & Enterprise Company and will include 'virtual' workplace experiences for more than 1,000 schools in coastal and rural communities.

Careers platform Springpod will also be involved.

Oli de Botton, chief executive of the Careers & Enterprise Company said: "Our aim is to help reinvent work experience for the modern day so that it works for more young people, and more employers.

"Thanks to the hard work of schools, colleges and employers there has been progress in careers education over the past few years.

"Working with great partners Speakers for Schools and Springpod, this scheme will build on what works so that we can help more young people find their best next step."