Collingwood College WORK EXPERIENCE th MARCH – 23 rd MARCH 2012 (19 TH MARCH – 30 TH MARCH 2012 FOR BTEC CHILDCARE + BTEC SPORT STUDENTS)

Why is work experience and WRL important?  Statutory requirement.  An opportunity for students to experience the positives and negatives of the ‘real world’.  Career exploration and motivation in College. Where am I now? Where do I want to be? How am I going to get there? Work Experience 2012

Why is work experience and WRL important?  Something to put on a future CV.  Future employment.  The majority of occupations require previous work experience.  Pupils will gain new transferable skills and develop existing ones.  Real experience of a career they may have an interest in.  It may help with post-16 options. Work Experience 2012

Students comments… Work Experience 2012 Gives you confidence Teaches you discipline It’s motivated me more in College You learn new things It helped me to decide what career I want to have in the future

Students comments… Work Experience 2012 It helped me to link subjects I study now to my future I gained an understanding of what work is like and I truly believe I got a lot out of it My work experience taught me that work isn’t as fun or easy as school. Everyday is difficult, so it’s important to work hard at school to get the job you want

Employers comments… Work Experience 2012 We don’t want to send him back to school…can we keep him? He’s better than some of our staff, I’ll definitely be offering him a job! An outstanding student She’s a credit to Collingwood College She’s been a real asset and one of the best we’ve ever had! He always asks for more work when he has completed a task…possibly the best work experience placement we’ve ever had We are so impressed with this student that we have arranged for him to come back and help us with a three week long company project A little star!

Employers’ comments… Work Experience 2012 “Miss Parker As you can imagine we have a lot of students visit us each year from many schools in the area but this is the first time I have written an to a school. I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how well they have done. All four have worked so hard and achieved all that has been asked of them. They have been helpful and carried out the tasks asked of them to the best of their ability. Well done boys………”

Evaluation of Work Experience 2011… Work Experience % students enjoyed the week. 92% said they had learnt something worthwhile from the experience. experience. 74% felt it motivated them and helped them to consider their career ideas for the future. them to consider their career ideas for the future.

What do students need to consider before finding a placement?  What kind of work they are interested in?  What career ideas they have (if any)?  Do they/you know someone who works in the industry they are interested in?  What subjects do they enjoy?  Travel.  Location.  Will they be taking BTEC Sport/Childcare/ going to FCOT? Work Experience 2012

Finding a placement  The emphasis is on the student to find their own placement. This is invaluable practice for the future. Your son/daughter will have already: Had an assembly about work experience and how to find a placement. Worked through a booklet in morning registration, with the help of their tutor. Been given all the paperwork they need to find their placement. Work Experience 2012

Supporting the students…  Whilst students are expected to (where possible) execute the process of finding a placement, it’s really important that they are offered the correct support.  Key staff within the College: Mr WoolfordIAG Co-ordinator Mrs FullerIAG Assistant Mrs WardYear Manager Mrs BrownYear 10 Pastoral Assistant Mrs PidgleySenior Work Related Learning Co-ordinator - SHAPE Form Tutors Subject Teachers Learning Support Dept. Work Experience 2012

How can you help?  Speak to your son/daughter about their work experience and help them to consider their options. Also talk to them about the booklet they have completed in registration. This booklet, called “Work Experience 2012: What shall I do for my work experience?”, looks into: Identifying where they would like to go for work experience How to find employers. How to write a letter to an employer for work experience. How to complete the work experience application form.  Think about whether you know anyone in the area they are interested in.   Encourage them to write a letter and telephone the employers of their choice.  Once a placement is secured, your son/daughter must get their work experience application form signed and completed. Work Experience 2012

How can you help? Work Experience 2012 Deadline Date 21st October 2011 Signature of Employer Signature of Parent/Carer

How can you help? Work Experience 2012

Things to note…  Finding a placement will take longer than you think so the earlier you start the more likely you are to be successful.  Employers tend to prefer the student to contact them, please encourage this. In circumstances where a student needs more support, we are happy to help.  Students must realise that it is particularly difficult to arrange placements in the more ‘glamorous’ areas: media, TV, journalism, photography and the arts etc…  If your son/daughter does not hear back from an employer, they must follow up the letter with a telephone call. Work Experience 2012

Things to note…  Students are not permitted to accept wages whilst on work experience as this invalidates the insurance.  Students are expected to work hours typical for that particular organisation – these hours may be longer and/or different to College hours.  Students are expected to comply with the health and safety regulations of the organisations in which they are working and employers will ensure that students are briefed at the beginning of the placement.  Some employers do not take students for work experience. This may be because: - The company will not allow them to - Age restrictions - Confidentiality - CRB Work Experience 2012

Timeline of work experience Work Experience 2012 MonthDetails July 2011  Booklets and help in registration.  Envelope home: Work Experience Application Form Letter to parents Parent guide to the programme  Work Experience Assembly - SHAPE

Timeline of work experience Work Experience 2011 Aug 2011  Students usually use this time to find their work experience placement. Sept 2011  Assembly - Work Experience  Careers Department offer work experience clinics held by SHAPE.  Tutors to monitor and support their tutor group.  Learning support involvement.

Timeline of work experience Work Experience 2012 Oct 2011  Learning support involvement.  Deadline for Work Experience Application Forms: 21 st October 2011 Nov Feb 2012  Support/sanctions for students who miss the deadline, where appropriate.

Timeline of work experience Work Experience 2012 March 2012  Work Experience Preparation.  Health and safety briefing.  Employer presentation.  SHAPE paperwork given out: Job Description Health and Safety Form/Booklet Work Experience Diary Employer Report WORK EXPERIENCE WEEK 19 th MARCH – 23 rd MARCH 2012

Timeline of work experience Work Experience 2012 April 2012  Work Experience Debrief.  Work Experience Certificates distributed.

Contact Details If you have any queries about the work experience programme please don’t hesitate to contact me: Mr C Woolford IAG Co-ordinator Direct Line: SHAPE: (Sandie Pidgley) Info: Work Experience 2012