St Hilda’s College Work Experience
During the summer term, all Year 12 college students are required to attend a one-week work experience placement. All college students are required to find their own placements; this ensures that they have a worthwhile and meaningful experience.
It is best if students complete their work experience in the field that they wish to pursue their future career. However, this is not essential. BTEC students need to ensure that their placements are meaningful to their chosen vocational subject.
Work experience provide students with a taster of the world of work; through interviews, applications, time keeping, health and safety and much more.
The purpose of work experience for the student is to:
- Develop their career ideas;
- Build their confidence and self-esteem;
- Enhance their knowledge and skills; and
- Complement their academic and vocational courses in school.
The process of organising the placements normally starts in November/ December with an assembly. The early time frame is to give students enough time to contact potential employers. College students will attend their placement during the summer term.
Preparation for Work Placement
Decide on the type of work you would like to do.
Be related to an idea for a future career or just an area of work that you would like to experience. All work experience can be equally valuable providing it will give you a good opportunity to develop your Employability Skills.
Look for a placement by asking your parents or carers, relations and friends, if they know anyone doing the type of work that you are interested in.
You can also ask your tutor and staff at college, look at advertisements in newspapers and magazines, enquire at customer service desks, and look at shop fronts and businesses in your home area and on the way to college, research in libraries and on the internet.
Discuss your ideas with your parents or carers and tutor.
You should not arrange a placement where you will be working closely with a parent or relative or where you already have a part time or holiday job. It is important that Work Experience is a ‘new challenge’ in terms of people and environment.
Consider the geographical location.
You need to take into account where you live, what transport links are available and how long will the travel times be from your home to your placement.
Contact the company or organisation and ask if they are prepared to accept you for Work Placement.
This can be done by telephone, personal visit or letter. Make sure that you know the dates of your placement and advise the company of these. Think about why you would like to do work experience within that organisation and remember to be enthusiastic in your communication. A copy of your CV should be taken when making a visit or enclosed with your letter when applying to the company.
The Company must have Employers’ Liability Compulsory Insurance otherwise; you will not be able to go there for Work Placement.
The policy number and expiry date will need to be recorded when the employer completes their online placement information.