Work experience

Most schools give you the chance to go out on work experience towards the end of year 10 or early in year 11. Usually it lasts 1 -2 weeks. During this time you will attend a work placements and do not go to school.

Your school will give you information about what is involved and how to find and apply for a placement months before you go out on work experience.  You might have to go for an interview with the employer. this will give both of you the chance to meet each other and ask questions before starting.

You will also get information about health and safety and how to make the most of the experience. This is usually done through tutor periods or PSHE lessons at school. It's really important as it will help to keep yo safe - young people are more at risk of having an accident in the work place than older workers.

During the placement a tutor from your school will visit to make sure things are going well, but if you do have any problems, let your school as soon as possible.

How do you get a work placement?

Your school will be able to help. Many will have a list of employers who offer work experience. You will probably get a form to fill out, saying what kind of placement you want. The school will try to match you to a suitable employer. You may not get exactly what you want - try to stay positive because you will probably get a lot out of the placement wherever you go. And you never know, you may even change your mind about what job you want to do later.

Some students have friends or relatives who will offer a placement. Think carefully about what you will get from this.

• Do you have a particular career in mind that you really want to try out instead?
• Will this placement help your decision making?
• Do you want to meet different/new people?

The company will still have to make sure it meets certain rules covering insurance and health and safety. You will need to get information from your Work Experience Co-ordinator.

Feeling a bit worried?

It is normal to feel a bit worried before you go, but most report how exciting and interesting the placement was and understand what it will be like when they start work for real – whenever that might be.

Download 'My Tips for Work Experience' written by a year 10 pupil at the end of their work experience.

What will you gain from work experience?

Everyone who completes their placement will have gained lots of things which will help them when they return to school, and later in their career. For example:

• Having to attend an interview
• Experiencing what it is like to be an employee
• Starting and finishing at different (longer) times
• Different travelling arrangements
• Meeting new people and learning new things
• Being treated like an adult
• Being given new responsibilities
• Some placements issue projects to be completed during the placement
• Some students are offered part time or holiday jobs at the end

Download 'My Work Experience', written by a year 10 pupil at the end of their work experience.

Good luck during your work experience - the more you put into it, the more you should get out of it! 

Updated 270707