Introduction to Work Experience

WEX Week 20th June – 24th June 2016

Work Experience OverviewAndrew Hood (Head of Careers)

The School AdministrationClaire Jonas (Careers and Work experience)

Questions

Programme for this Evening

Work Experience in Context

CBI Report (The voice of the Employer)

“Employers are looking for people with the core literacy, numeracy, and employability skills required for any role – basic common sense, an understanding of the workplace disciplines around attendance and timekeeping and the ability to behave and interact appropriately with colleagues in the workplace environment.”

“Hands-on, practical Work Experience is more important now than ever before; prospective employers and Universities want to see young people who have additional skills to those gained in the classroom and Work Experience gives students the ideal opportunity to build on their CV – it may just give them the edge over the next applicant and help distinguish them from a vast pool of candidates. As they progress towards 6th Form and not forgetting that the Government has ruled that our Year 10’s must stay on at school until 18 years of age, building a credible, relevant portfolio of Work Experience is essential and almost as important as exam qualifications if they are to succeed in the jobs market”.

DFE (The voice of the government, March 2013)

The National Picture

• 85-95% of all 14-16 year olds in state schools

• 70% of placements in Y10

• Around 550,000 placements at KS 4

• 9 in 10 say W/E is a helpful experience

• 76% of state comprehensives offer W/E to almost everyone in KS4

The National Picture

• 85-95% of all 14-16 year olds in state schools

• 70% of placements in Y10

• Around 550,000 placements at KS 4

• 9 in 10 say W/E is a helpful experience

• 76% of state comprehensives offer W/E to almost everyone in KS4

But……..

The National Picture

Benefits of Work Experience

• Provides students with an insight into different sectors and careers available

• Gives students the opportunity to use and apply their skills and knowledge in a working environment

• It aids development of ‘employability skills’ sometimes called ‘soft skills’ required, not only in the workplace but in life. These include communication, working with others and problem solving

Benefits of Work Experience (cont’d.)

• Great boost to their confidence

• Provides knowledge of the local job market and starts them on the road to building a network of business contacts

• An opportunity to impress local employers – in a few years time there may be the opportunity to go back to the same manager seeking employment!

• Valuable experience to add to student’s CV and Personal Statement

Effective of Work Experience

• A partnership approach – involving the student, parent/guardian, school and employer.

• Placements are well planned and prepared.

• Clear objectives are defined for the student and supported by parents/guardians.

• There is an effective debrief and self-evaluation to reflect on the experience.

Effective of Work Experience

• A meaningful work experience can help influence career direction….. But……..

• You should be using the KUDOS careers software to help assess what type of career path would most suit you.

• Matching students to relevant work experience placements add value for entry to HE and FE courses

Type of Placement

Own Placement sourced by students/Parents

Placements sourced by Youth Connexions

• Ideally matched to individual career aspirations but……….

• Students will be able to identify their interests and sectors they are keen to work in……. YOU should be pro-active in your search for a work placement.

• Over the following months the school will work towards allocating students to an appropriate employer, based on their area of interest

Employer expectations of a Student?

• Be ready to work/and work safely

• Good time keeping – be punctual

• Follow instructions and ask if you are unsure, be proactive, enquire.

• Ask questions, it shows they are interested

• Discuss any concerns as they arise with their supervisor

In Summary

Every young person should be encouraged to make the very best of this opportunity, work hard and be

proud of your achievements.

In Summary

Student Feedback…….What is the purpose of Work Experience?

To find out what a work place is like. How is it different from school?

To learn about a particular job or industry.

To see how an organisation works.

To learn to fit in with new people, in new places and completing new tasks.

To understand best why you are at school and how school subjects can help your career.

In Summary (cont’d)

Student Feedback

To learn differences between school and work.

To feel what it is like to work a longer day with fewer breaks.

To work with adults of different ages with differing rank or status.

To see how people get on together at work.

To see the relationship between workers and bosses.

The Practicalities