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Earlier this month, Cefas welcomed two Year 12 students as part of the East Anglia Heads of Place Civil Service Work Experience Pilot. We designed a programme to provide local students with hands-on experience in marine and freshwater science whilst building their confidence and developing essential workplace skills.
The programme offers young people a unique opportunity to work alongside our expert scientists, gaining technical knowledge whilst developing crucial professional skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
This pilot demonstrates our commitment to inspiring the next generation of environmental scientists and preparing them for successful careers. By combining skills development with scientific learning, we're equipping students not just for further study, but for any field they choose to pursue.
In this bulletin, we spotlight the programme with an overview of their work, insights from students and Cefas colleagues, and how you can get involved.
Rachael Mann- Engagement Officer
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Cefas Welcomes Young Talent Through Work Experience Programme
 Rose and Charlie from Lowestoft Sixth Form spent an immersive week with our teams from 7 July, gaining insights into how cutting-edge marine science directly informs government policy and environmental protection. Their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives brought new energy to our laboratories whilst providing them with genuine understanding of working life at Cefas.
These students were part of the East Anglia Heads of Place Civil Service Work Experience Pilot. This innovative programme represents a significant step forward in connecting young people across East Anglia with diverse career opportunities within government departments.
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A Week of Discovery and Growth
 The students experienced the full breadth of our operations during their five-day placement. Beginning with a comprehensive induction and mandatory training, Rose and Charlie toured our state-of-the-art laboratories and learned about Cefas's vital role in protecting the UK's marine and freshwater environments.
Each student then embarked on their own specialised project. Rose immersed herself in the benthic ecology laboratory, exploring the intricate world of seafloor ecosystems, while Charlie delved into microplastics research, investigating one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
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Transformative Impact
 The programme's success is perhaps best captured through the students' own reflections.
Rose shared her observation that Cefas has "such a welcoming atmosphere, with lots to learn and see." She expressed how the experience had "amplified [her] dream to work in marine science."
About the experience Charlie reflected, "I’ve always enjoyed environmental science studies and so to have this opportunity to learn hands-on about the technicalities of working in marine science has been a real eye opener for me. It has motivated me to continue my studies in environmental science, math and geography as now I know where it could lead me."
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Mutual Benefits
Alex McGoran, who served as Charlie's line manager, highlighted the reciprocal nature of the experience. "Meeting two young, excited people starting their journey into environmental science was a powerful reminder of how passion is often the biggest part of any career path," McGoran reflected. "Spending a week with both Rose and Charlie has left me feeling invigorated and ready to make the most of new opportunities that come my way."
The week allowed both students to blossom whilst helping them explore the full breadth of Cefas's work. McGoran noted that "by the end, they had a new appreciation for Cefas and the importance of our science and its link to real impact through policy."
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A Model for the Future
 This pioneering programme extends far beyond marine science, opening doors across the Civil Service for young people throughout East Anglia. Students have gained unique insights into diverse government departments, from local courtrooms and border force operations to the Department for Education and HM Revenue and Customs.
The success of Rose and Charlie's placement at Cefas demonstrates the powerful impact of providing young people with authentic workplace experiences. By combining hands-on scientific work with broader understanding of how research translates into policy, the programme offers invaluable career insights whilst inspiring the next generation of environmental scientists.
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Want to get involved?
This week is only just the beginning.
We encourage anyone interested in future work experience opportunities to keep an eye on our careers page, follow us on social media, and watch for announcements in upcoming newsletters. These channels will provide the latest information about placements available at both our Lowestoft and Weymouth locations.
Our next work experience placements will be made available in 2026.
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