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What is Work Experience?Work experience involves secondary students in

short-term placements that broaden their experience and understanding of the world of

work and career opportunities in general.Work experience is not the same as work

placement. Work placement allows students to acquire skills and knowledge in an industry setting as part of an accredited vocational

training program.

Why do Work Experience?

Well, it has to be one of the best ways of getting that all-important foot in the door. All employers are looking for people with some experience.

WHY?

Because it shows them you have work ethic, commitment, interest. With out some form of employment related experience it becomes very difficult to gain full time employment. You’re probably not going to get anywhere without some work experience under your belt.

(unless your father just happens to be pals with the Director General)

Where to get Work Experience?

Where do you want to work?

You need to decide this very early. If you want to work somewhere popular, you need to apply very early.

Know when you want to complete your work experience.

Some months are very popular so try to avoid those times if you can.

How to get Work Experience?

Phone up your chosen business/organisation and ask to talk to the person who arranges work placements.

From you phone call, you normally get told to write in with your details. In some cases, they want your resume, others may want to meet you others may want to see samples of your work.

Some businesses/organisations may want to interview you. It sounds a bit extreme, but you shouldn’t be phased by this. It probably means that your going to get a good place.

The week before…Phone up to check that they remember you are coming. Managers move on, information is lost, things happen. Don’t leave your placement to chance.

WORK EXPERIENCE FORMS

All sections of the Work Experience Forms must be completed and signed before the work experience commences. The student should receive a complete signed copy of the Work Experience Form and so should the employer.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Employers to comply with occupational health and safety requirements and standards under South Australian law.

The employer or supervisor should provide the student with appropriate training and instruction in respect to occupational health and safety. This training should relate to the tasks to be undertaken during the work experience

ACCIDENTS

In the event of an accident and the student is injured, the employer must contact the parent/guardian as well as the teacher in charge of work experience as soon as possible.

The employer also needs to fulfil their obligations required by the occupational health and safety requirements and standards under South Australian law.

Employer Expectations – What do they look for?

Employers are most concerned about attitudes and personal qualities. Some of the attitudes an employer wants include:

Enthusiasm InitiativePunctualityHonesty & opennessResponsibilityCommitmentReliability

Just to name a few

They also want you to be:

Friendly to your supervisor, co-workers and customers

Prepared to follow you supervisor’s instructions and to be willing to learn and to ask for help

Willing to go above and beyond your agreed duties when needed

Well organised and well presented

The following are very important topics to remember!

ATTENDANCEIf a student is absent without notification, the employer should contact the teacher in charge of work experience straight away.

Students must inform the employer and the school if they are going to be absent from the workplace or if they are going to be late.

EVALUATIONAt the end of the work experience, an evaluation form needs to be completed and forwarded to the school.

It would be beneficial if the student and the supervisor have discussed the value of the work experience and the student’s performance prior to the completion of such a form.

Surviving your Work ExperienceBelow you will find some suggestions on how to survive your work experience placement.

First Day

Punctual

Follow dress code Open to learn Enthusiastic Energetic Prepared to complete

paperwork Ask questions Take initiative Show interest Pay attention Know where to go the next

day

By Day 3

Be responsible Willing to admit mistakes, and

what you do and don’t know Willing to learn from others;

ask questions Have an understanding of the

company Know how different people like

to work Meet standards for

performance goals Show commitment to the

workplace Excited about being with their

company

Thank you for your participation today and we

look forward to seeing you at the next workshop on Monday 3 June.