Work experience can offer valuable and insightful opportunities for young people to have first hand experiences of the workplace and is measured against Gatsby Benchmark 6.
Work experience allows students to make career choices, develop key skills and expand their own career network. A good work experience programme ensures valuable and relevant experiences tare linked with careers learning.
Some schools coordinate their own project and generally offer this to year 10 and/or year 12 students. Other schools may employ and agency to set up their programme, for which there will be a charge.
Things to consider for your work experience programme:
- Which years/students will take part in the programme, for how long and where it fits into the school calender
- Who will be sourcing the placements with employers
- Workplace checks pre and post placement
- In placement checks on the students
- Health and Safety checks
- Parental consent and engagement with the programme
- Linked learning to the placement and preparation of students
- Post placement debrief and evaluation
- Resources – work experience guide etc.
There are many opportunities to engage with the world of work to find work experience visit the Careers Hub website for additional opportunities.
Also for support on managing your work experience please visit Entrust - Work Experience Space.
Supporting students
It is advisable to ensure that employers are inspected, supported and guided through the process of setting up a placement, which ensures a safe and valuable experience is on offer to students. Some schools offer a work experience guide to employers.
Ensuring that students are fully supported throughout when sourcing, applying for, completing and reflecting on their placement, enabling them to make further career decisions and identifying and recording experiences and skills learnt. Template lesson plans for pre and post placement can be found in the resources section below.
