A 3-D work experience programme was launched last week in Scotland and will be rolled out to all secondary schools in August.

The computer game-like programme allows students to tour a variety of simulated workplace settings and complete interactive tasks likely to occur. The first three virtual worlds were unveiled in February: Contact Centre World, Hairdressing and Beauty World and NHS Trauma World.

Three more worlds are under construction for the August rollout: Food and Drink, Passenger Transport, and Retail.

The programme has been created by Careers Scotland – Highlands and Islands, in partnership with BT and number of other private and public sector agencies, including the Learning and Teaching Scotland, and the Scottish Executive’s Determined to Succeed division. The programme will also be accessed by the schools through the Learning and Teaching Scotland website.

The argument in favour of the programme is that students can now access businesses they would not otherwise – because of a student’s rural location or the business’ inability to provide work experience opportunities.

The students at Queen Anne High School in Dunfermline have been able to test the programme and give their feedback. Principal Kenneth Powrie said the programme was “wonderful” because it gives the students “an idea of what’s ahead of them” before going out on their work placement.

But the idea of virtual work experience seems counter-intuitive. The whole point of work experience for 16 to 18-year-olds is to immerse themselves in the “real world” – surrounded by real, live working professionals who can’t be shadowed in a text book.

This concern has been recognised by those launching the programme. In an eGov article, Scottish deputy first minister Nicol Stephen said: “Virtual Work Experience will complement not replace traditional placements, increasing the scope and scale of opportunities available to our young people.”

Indeed, the Virtual Work Experience website further explains the purpose of the programme: “The key to a positive and enjoyable working life is loving what you do and doing what you love. In order to make this happen you need to make a well informed realistic decision about your chosen career path.”

I generally like this concept, but the word “realistic” is a bit scary – what happened to the days when parents told their children they can be anything they want to be, do anything they want to do, as long as they work hard enough? Future doctors of the world need to be realistic about their ability to handle blood – but children don’t need virtual reality to help them figure that out.