What is Work Experience?
When they are in Key Stage 4 (aged 14-16), the majority of students undertake work experience placements. This can either be for one or two week blocks or for one or more days a week over a number of weeks. This may be in support of work-related learning or in connection with a Diploma or other course of study.
In Basingstoke, the Consortium helps to support more than 1,600 work experience placements every year. Last year alone, with the support of over 1000 businesses, students gained experience in fields as diverse as engineering, sport and leisure, land based, IT and public services. Most popular were business, administration and finance, retail, engineering and society and health and development, with 800 students completing activities in these fields.
Each year the Consortium surveys over 600 employers and students to gain their perspectives of work experience. As well as being a useful tool for the schools, it allows the Consortium to gauge employer views of students, quality and relevance of placements and overall student satisfaction. Last year, 97% of students performed either very well or quite well. Only 3% of employers felt students lacked confidence or motivation whilst on placement.
Benefits to the student:
- Experience working with adults and see how a workplace operates.
- Develop and practise a range of skills.
- Become more confident of their own abilities.
- Think in a more informed way about their own future and work decisions.
Business benefits:
- Developing work experience programmes provides excellent opportunities for staff development.
- The profile of the company is raised amongst students, parents and teachers.
- Support for the local community is demonstrated.
- Students bring their own skills, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective with them to the work placement. This can be surprisingly valuable for many companies.
- Young people can be assessed by the company for part-time work.
- Helping to prepare students for the world of work.
- Students are offered an insight into the local economy.
What we ask employers to do ….
- Plan a programme in the workplace that will give students a range of experiences.
- Arrange staff supervision for the student to give support, instruction and advice.
- Complete an evaluation report which contributes to the student’s school record of achievements.
Basingstoke Consortium provides …
- Local organisation of work experience in close liaison with employers and schools.
- Placement Description(s) negotiated individually with each employer.
- An interview with the student to negotiate objectives and confirm a suitable match.
- The highest quality match of student to placement, using individual guidance and carefully developed systems.
- Employer Help Line for any queries.
- Professional vetting of placements so that both employer and student are safeguarded by having a safe and suitable placement. We will give full advice and support in these areas as needed.
- Feedback from our annual reviews so that employers are fully informed.
- Local recognition of the considerable value of work experience through an annual mailing of
Certificates of Thanks and Awards Scheme.
Positive experiences of work can demonstrate to young people there are many paths to success, enhance their life and career aspirations.
News
Turning Work Experience into Work Inspiration
The Work Inspiration campaign started in September 09 with 100 chief executives, representing most of the FTSE 100 meeting with 100 young people, and pledging to improve the work experience their companies offer over half a million young people every year. To learn more please click the link below:
If you are an employer and can help with providing a work placement please click on the following link, complete the form and one of our Work Experience Officers will contact you.