Youngsters across Scotland are to have access to state-of-the art virtual work experience at the touch of a button, thanks to a new internet-based 3D simulation unveiled today by Deputy First Minister, Nicol Stephen.

A series of workplace simulations are being created to allow young people to carry out interactive tasks in business sectors which may not always be accessible to them.

Careers Scotland - Highlands and Islands, who first came up with the idea for a ‘virtual work’ experience, have developed the project with a number of partners – BT Scotland, Learning Teaching Scotland, Skills for Business and the Scottish Executive’s Determined to Succeed division.

The product was ‘road-tested’ by Dunfermline’s Queen Anne High School pupils who were given a sneak preview of the virtual worlds while in development last year.

At a launch event in Glasgow today, Nicol Stephen stressed the importance of giving young people the fullest access to knowledge of the world of work.

Mr Stephen said: “Determined to Succeed, our strategy for enterprise in education, makes clear the value of good quality work experience. Virtual work experience should supplement and never substitute the benefits of one or more work placements for every pupil. “

The Virtual Work Experience product being launched today, if properly used, will give young people acces to a range of quality work experience opportunities not previously possible. Individuals will be able to access jobs that really interest them.

“As Virtual Work Experience will be accessible from school, home and from community centres there are real opportunities for parents, teachers and carers to get involved as well. “Virtual Work Experience will complement not replace traditional placements, increasing the scope and scale of opportunities available to our young people. It will open their eyes to new opportunities and expose them to new ideas which I hope will positively influence their future career choices.

” The ‘virtual world’ product will be rolled out to all secondary schools in August this year.