Extended Work Experience - How it can Help

Enfield Work
Experience

"Steven was nervous before he started.

Now they have offered him a full time job when he leaves school and he is happy to take the opportunity"

Extended
Work Experience

Extended work experience is designed to help a small number of students aged 15/16 who have become generally disaffected at school or are having trouble coping with the full range of examination subjects.

With extended work experience, the student gets the opportunity to work with you for several days a week over an extended period (usually 12 weeks) whilst continuing their schooling on the other days.

This has made a real difference for many students. By going on extended work experience they have been given the chance to improve their employability and understanding of work, get further qualifications or go into employment (see case studies below).

What kind of placements do you need?

Placements in all areas of work are welcomed - present placements include:

childcare centres
engineering
garages
hairdressing
office

How does the student get chosen for extended work experience?

The student may be recommended for extended work experience by school staff, education welfare officers or by nominating themselves. A final decision is only made after detailed discussion with the student, their parents/carers, welfare officers and other teachers in the school. The student has to agree to a contract setting out his/her responsibilities.

What help will I get as the employer?

You, as the employer, would be given a named contact for the student that you can talk to at any time for advice and support. The student will have progress reviews at regular intervals.

Many of our employers have taken students on extended work placements many times over and find it a rewarding way to help a young person. We always need new placements so please get in touch if you would like to help or have any questions that we haven't answered here.

What happens to the student afterwards?

Many of our students continue with the placement for three months or more. With the experience they gain, learning new skills and finding out about the real world of work, they find new confidence and maturity.

On finishing the placement and leaving school, students can go on to find employment and/or continue with their studies at training centre to gain further qualifications. Some students have gone on to be employed by the company that offered the extended work placement.

Case Study 1

David has become well and truly part of the team at Ross Motors, working on MOTs, servicing and repairs. "It's what I wanted to do since I was little" he says. "People respect you in the workplace". David says that quite a few students his age have dropped out of school and are doing nothing when they could really benefit from the opportunities that an extended work placement can offer.

Ross Motors are going to take David on full time and are looking to enrol him onto the North London Garages training programme.

Case Study 2

Gayle started 'being bad' during her time at school. She had been excluded once and was about to be excluded a second time when the school told her about extended work experience. She wasn't keen at first but started working one day a week at Ikon Office Solutions, spending the other four days studying English, Textiles and Maths GCSE.

"Being at work is better" said Gayle. "It was difficult at first because friends were finishing at 3.30pm and I had to stay until 5.00pm. I found it hard but I was pleased I carried on".

Gayle feels that her placement has given her a positive attitude towards her future working life and has gradually been given harder tasks to perform at Ikon.

"For it to be successful you have to stick to it" she says. Gayle is now looking forward to doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Accounts after her placement comes to an end.

Case Study 3

Shane found herself arguing with other students at school. She found them immature and just didn't get along with them. She started working three days a week assisting in the classroom at Suffolks Primary School and now says "I wake up in the morning and I want to go in".

She still attends school to do GCSE English and gets on much better. A Connexions adviser has helped her to apply for a course in "Early Years Care" NVQ Levels 1 and 2.

Would you like to help a young person? Please get in touch

Information for Employers
Why work experience placements are needed	download
What is involved in offering a work placement?	download
How to offer a work placement	link
What kind of work can I give them to do?	link
A guide to insurance issues	download
Health and Safety Information	link
Regulations re what sort of work students can do
What hours should students work on work experience? The number of hours worked is generally for agreement by employer, school, parents and students. Unless there are strong reasons to the contrary it is recommended that students should not be asked to work more than a standard eight hour day. The Working Time regulations apply to work experience students.
Can I pay the student? No. Work experience is part of students' education and employers should make no payment for work performed whether to the students, the school or LEA. Help towards the cost of meals or transport is provided sometimes either by schools, local education authorities or employers. Where help is likely to be needed it should be considered and resolved before the placement begins. What about Child Protection? The Trident Trust has produced a useful guide for placement providers which you can access here.