Information for businesses offering work experience
Work experience provides an invaluable opportunity for young
people to gain an insight into, and experience of, the world of
work. It supports students’ personal and social development and
often contributes to their GCSE, GNVQ or A level coursework.
There is vast potential for learning
through work experience. The use of placements in business and
industry can help young people to develop the skills and attitudes
they will need for employment. It reinforces that learning takes
place out of, as well as in, the classroom, and enhances the
students’ perceptions of the relevance of the work they undertake
in school or college.
Benefits of work experience to young
people
The specific aims and objectives of
work experience will vary according to the individual needs of
particular students, but there are many common benefits.
Work experience can:
- help students relate the knowledge and skills they are
developing at school to the world of work;
- develop students’ vocational skills;
- increase students’ understanding of economic and industrial
issues, citizenship, environmental and health education;
- help students to develop increased maturity, self confidence,
flexibility, self reliance and the ability to work with others;
and
- enable students to clarify their thoughts and make decisions
about their future career choices.
Benefits of work experience to
employers
There are also benefits for employers.
These include:
- Helping to improve the quality and preparedness of young people
entering the labour market.
- Developing recruitment channels and raising the profile of
career opportunities in the company.
- Helping to promote vocational qualifications.
- Raising the company’s profile within the community.
- Creating management development opportunities for the company’s
staff.
- Increasing motivation of company employees involved in work
experience organisation and supervision.
- Fostering greater understanding in the company of educational
changes.
Who organises work experience
placements?
The main responsibility for the
organisation of work experience placements in West Sussex schools
and colleges rests with the school or college work experience
coordinator. They will usually make the initial contact with your
company, but in some cases, the student may make a direct
approach.
If you would like to register your
interest in offering placements and have not been contacted
directly, contact the county work experience coordinator:
County Hall North, Chart Way, Horsham,
West Sussex RH12 1XH
Email: workexperience@westsussex.gov.uk
Phone: 01403 229222
What do I have to do to become a work
experience host?
New work experience hosts will be
asked to complete a simple registration form, confirming their
insurance cover for employer and public liability. Then, with
permission, the company’s details are added to the county database
of work experience hosts.
What is the legal status of students
on work experience?
Under health and safety law, students
on work experience have the same status as employees. In addition,
they are treated as employees for the purpose of insurance against
personal injury, provided your insurers have been notified.
When do work experience placements
occur and what tasks are students usually given?
Placements will normally occur during
school term time, throughout the academic year, and will usually
last for one or two weeks. In some cases, extended periods of work
experience may be arranged for individual students. The emphasis
during the placement should be on 'doing' rather than watching, and
the more varied the work can be, the better. During the placement,
students must not be asked to do anything dangerous or use
equipment without proper training and supervision. They must not be
expected to do work which is unsuitable for young people or which
is legally prohibited.
What hours can the student work?
The hours worked should be those
appropriate for regular employees under 18 doing similar work.
They should not exceed 40 hours per
week, nor should they involve unnecessarily unsocial times.
Can the student receive payment for
the work they undertake?
By law, students under 16 must not be
paid for work done while on a work experience placement. However,
employers may contribute towards travel costs and other expenses if
they wish.
Please see the attached document for
further information including Health and Safety information and a
sample risk assessment form.
Supporting document