Introducing Work Experience January 2016

We change lives. We find inspiring and meaningful opportunities for young people to gain work experience, understand the labour market and develop confident enterprise and employability skills.

Background Spark! is a charity working with young people in West London to help them understand the world of work Hosted by GSK at their global HQ in Brentford we were established in 1980, registering as a charity in Work with local business volunteers, 14+ secondary schools and c70 partner Education Business Partnerships (EBPs) We organise employability and enterprise skills events each year in partner schools and also organise 500+ work experience placements per year.

Benefits of work experience for students To gain meaningful experience of the world of work and explore their interests. To meet new people and discover what their working lives involve. To get a chance to learn some new skills, including vital ‘employability’ skills. Better understand areas of work To impress with their CV and strengthen their personal statement when applying for employment or HE.

Introduction Work Experience will take place from 16 th – 20 th May 2016 All Year 10 students will participate in this “Own found placement” –Deadline is 1 st February 2016 –Back-up plan: A Spark! Found Placement Spark! Will check ALL work placements are safe places for you to experience the world of work before agreeing that they can take place.

Own found placements What does it mean?… These placements are the best way to develop the job search skills your son/daughter will need when they leave school. Students and parents can identify potential placements and complete the relevant form. This is then returned to school. Spark will complete a check to ensure the placement is suitable

Spark! Found Placements A number of placements will be available through Spark! This could include jobs within one of the following industry sectors: –Retail - shops –Sport – school PE dept., leisure centre, gym –Hospitality – hotels, cafes, restaurants –Office – law, estate agent, marketing, IT –Health and social care – nursery schools, schools, pharmacies, hospitals

Placement risk banding matrix Health and safety limits. These include: sole traders, collecting money or selling door to door; working on petrol forecourts; selling lottery tickets, alcohol or cigarettes; bingo hall, night club / pubs; delivering or selling alcohol unless in sealed containers; in amusement arcades or fairgrounds; modelling or in a commercial theatrical performance; working more than 3 metres off ground level; working in other over-18 environments such as tattoo or piercing studies.

Managing Expectations Experience of a work enviornment is beneficial The placement undertaken may not be reflective of their future employment Each student will be issued a placement description Cancellation fees may apply Everyone will need to go for an interview! Deadlines are key Explore different options ‘A guide to finding placements’ is available Expectations must be managed to avoid disappointment

Next steps Please encourage your son/daughter to get started early Every student would have collected an ‘Own Find placement’ form at the school assembly this morning DO speak to your child’s tutor, your child’s Head of House, or Mrs Eynon if your child gets stuck and needs help Work experience provides an opportunity to try something new and learn about working life – therefore it is important that students make the most out of it! Cancellations are not an option

Any Questions?

To find out more about Spark! contact us at