Connexions staff undertake Health and Safety checks by visiting
employers offering work experience. All new employers are visited
before the placement. Employers already offering work experience are
visited annually, two yearly or three yearly depending on the type of
opportunity they offer. With out these checks placements cannot take
place. It is important that new employer forms are returned to school
in time so that the checks can be undertaken.
Interviews
Many employers like to interview you before the placement. This allows you to find out where the placement is and ask any questions you may have and will give you practice for interviews in the future and is important part of the learning process.
Agreements
Schools send out agreements to the employer and parents/carers prior to the placement. These agreements outline the opportunity description and risk assessment. These are signed by the employer and the parent and both are returned to school, this should happen BEFORE the placement starts.
How can you get the best out of work experience?
Ensure new employer forms are completed and returned to school promptly
Talk to your parents/carer about the choice of placements you are considering
Be realistic about transport arrangements and start times
Make arrangements for an interview
Prepare for the placement by checking that you know where it is, how to get there and who to see.
If there are any problems let the school and the employer know e.g. in the event of an illness
Take an active part in briefing and discuss what you learnt on work experience.
Contacts
When organizing the placement the school is the first point of contact. Most schools have a Work Experience Co-coordinator. If any issues arise during the placement you should contact the school. If you are absent from the placement both the school and the employer should be informed.
