Work Experience from an employer perspective

This session The context in which I work The barriers to effective work experience Strategies for overcoming these A work experience curriculum

The Context Formation Training & Development Ltd Established in 1997 Based in Hucknall in Nottinghamshire Core staff plus 50 associates with national reputations Strong ethical base - care for the environment - family friendly - commitment to staff development - commitment to our community Changing in response to economic situation Reputation for high quality

The Context - Our work Work with schools, local councils and other organisations - Enterprise - Leadership development - Training for business start-ups National work - Devised the assessment and moderation for HLTA and EYP - Monitoring of HLTA and EYP providers - Evaluation projects Projects - Career Champions - Supporting Excellence - Young Dragons - Enterprising schools

Support for the community Purchase from local suppliers wherever possible Liaise with other local and regional organisations Free training for local business employers and staff Family friendly policies to assist local employees Strategic relationship with local schools Director on business engagement group

Support for schools Both Directors are governors of local schools Member of a Business Advisory Board of one academy Mentoring for senior staff - Vice principals - Early Years leader Work experience - Aim Higher placements for undergraduates - Work experience for school students

Barriers for employers Anxiety about how best to support someone on work experience Concern about having enough for them to do Uncertainty about how to judge the level of work Not sure about the level of authority required/allowed Unclear about the level of tolerance expected Not knowing if you are getting it right Low level liaison from school once the placement starts

Strategies to overcome barriers

Overcoming the barriers Provide clear guidance about work experience parameters Clarity about expectations School staff visit during the placement Opportunities for employers to meet each other Complete a simple review sheet Be given feedback Be provided with guidance on helping a student progress

A Work Experience Curriculum

Student progression during work experience Numeracy Literacy Communication Skills Employment intelligence Technical skills - IT - Research - Use of equipment Support employers to use their work environment to help students develop:

Student progression - continued Literacy reading basic instructions & summarising results writing a memo or note to a staff member Numeracy opportunities for arithmetic calculations understanding and manipulation of a simple spread sheet

Student progression - continued Communication skills speaking to customers interviewing/talking to other staff about their job understanding induction and expectations conforming to dress codes complying with time and attendance requirements Employment intelligence

Student progression - continued Technical skills appropriate use of IT use of the telephone research using - the internet - telephone directory - local papers

Guidance for employers Employers need: Basic information about the work experience placement - responsibilities of the employer - responsibilities of school and contact information - what to expect from students Tips for employers based on the sector for their business - based on the progression areas previously outlined Simple review form on skill development for students

Guidance for employers Parent/Carers need: Information about what work experience involves - understanding of how parents can support students - what is expected of students Tips on helping students to talk about the experience A review form to complete about skill development - Based on the one for employers and students

Building effective partnerships Four dimensions Students School staff Parents/carers Employer

Outcome - a supportive environment