Work Experience Programme 2015

Information for Parents and Students 2014-15
Introduction
As part of the Year 12 Curriculum all students are expected to undertake experiential
work experience. At Aldridge School, this means one week of unpaid work experience
for the week commencing 9 February 2015.
Work Experience is essential for students’ development of skills and attitudes required
for the world of work and awareness of strengths and weaknesses in a work-related
situation. The whole process is good preparation for life beyond school, whether it be
in support of a University application or grounding for future employment.
Finding a placement
Whether you are searching for a placement yourself or through the school, you will be
required to submit a CV to the prospective ’employer’ with a covering letter. Writing
letters of application, attending interviews and considering transport and meal
arrangements are some of the things that will need to be considered.
Sourcing a placement yourself
If you choose to source a placement yourself you need to decide what you want to do
and where you want to go. (There are lots of useful links in the appendix at the end.)
It is best to select several companies to approach as not all will prove successful.
Remember when considering your placement you should be able to get there and
back either by walking, public transport or with a family member and factor in the
time it will take for travelling.
You will need to send a CV and covering letter to the companies. For help with a CV
there is help on many websites eg. National Careers Service, Barclays Life Skills.
Try and find out before submitting your application who the best person is to write to
within the company. The best way of finding this out is by phoning or looking on their
website. There is a sample letter you can use which is attached.
If you are accepted you must let the Work Experience Co-ordinator (Mrs Nock) know
the details of your placement immediately. Remember: If you are lucky enough to
gain more than one placement then out of courtesy please contact the company you
are turning down and politely decline their offer.
A relative or family friend may be able to help you secure a placement but it is
advisable that you are placed in a different department so that you can achieve the
full benefit from meeting new people and acting independently.
For placements in BBC, Sea Life Centre, museums, zoos, animal farms and you must
apply early and consider time included for travelling to and from your placement.
Placements for Hospitals, Dental and Vetinerary Practices
If this is the career direction you have decided upon you will need to apply early for
these places. For hospital placements you will need to apply on line
https://www.walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk/work-experience.aspx
Dental and vetinerary placements for health and safety reasons, will be observational
only.
Sourcing a placement through school
Aldridge School has established links with many local companies who will provide
work experience according to their business structure. This is predominantly office
based and may cover areas such as finance, sales, marketing and administration.
Some companies provide an overview of their whole company including their
manufacturing processes as well. If you are interested in pursuing a career in teaching
there are many local primary schools where you can gain valuable experience in
classroom support. You cannot do your work experience here at school. If you
are looking for some retail experience there are a number of companies that have
supported us in the past such as high street names, supermarkets and garden centres
(these are often a good source for part-time jobs).
To secure a placement through school you can take a look at the placements on offer
on the school website then see Mrs. Nock, Work Experience Co-ordinator who will tell
you how to apply.
Deadline for securing a placement
We need to allow for time to establish that the placement is checked for health and
safety**, holds current employers liability insurance and ensures the placements will
be meaningful, purposeful and objective setting. For this reason all placements need
to be secured by Friday 19 December.
Be realistic. It is not always possible to find a placement tailored to your ideas and
sometimes this can be disappointing but the most important objective of the Work
Experience Programme is experiencing the world of work. Remember, it is part of the
Sixth Form contract that you complete a week of work experience. From past
experience the more effort you put into sourcing a placement the more satisfied you
will be.
When you have secured a placement….
When an employer offers you a placement you need to communicate back to
it, then submit the details to Mrs Nock, Work Experience Co-ordinator. The
required are the name and address of the company and the contact person,
number and email address. You may be required, at the employer’s request, to
a pre-placement interview.
accept
details
phone
attend
**the school has a duty of care for each student and therefore we want to ensure the safety of each of
them whilst on work placements. As a consequence we call upon the assistance of Work Experience
Support Services to carry out a risk assessment on each potential placement. A placement must be
approved before the student can attend and if for any reason it is not, the student will be informed and
an alternative placement sought.
PREPARATION
Part of the Work Experience Programme is preparing students. Guidance on how to
complete a Curriculum Vitae (CV) will be provided together with Health & Safety
advice.
Two weeks before you are due to start your placement you will need to contact your
employer to confirm the following:
• Remind them who you are, what school you are from and that you will be
attending the placement
• What time you are expected to arrive and finish each day
• Dress code
• Lunchtime arrangements (is there a canteen or do you need to take your own
lunch)
• Who do you need to report to on the first day
During your placement
•
•
•
•
•
•
Be punctual, polite and smart. If you think you are going to be late it is
courteous to let the employer know.
Be prepared to carry out tasks that you are requested to do with enthusiasm
and without rudeness.
Be proactive by asking for more work if you run out.
Make the most of your placement by gaining knowledge about the company as
well as enhancing your personal skills and development, i.e. asking questions
Listen to instructions and follow company policies
Complete your work experience log book.
Make sure…
• You don’t carry out any duties you consider to be dangerous
• You contact the employer and the school if you are off sick
Above all, enjoy your placement. A member of staff will visit you during the week to
see how you are getting on.
At the end of your placement…
• Remember to say ‘Thank you’
• Complete an evaluation of your placement and discuss during form time.
IF YOU ARE STILL UNCLEAR AS TO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO PLEASE SEE MRS
NOCK WHO IS BASED BEHIND THE RECEPTION AREA OR EMAIL
[email protected]
Appendix - Useful links
National Careers Service
Barclays Life Skills
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
https://www.barclayslifeskills.com/
Careers ideas
www.plotr.co.uk
www.careersbox.co.uk
www.icould.com
www.wowbc.co.uk
Medical
Walsall Hospital
https://www.walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk/work-experience.aspx
Sandwell
Good Hope Hospital http://www.heartofengland.nhs.uk/careers/work-experience/
Sandwell
https://www.swbh.nhs.uk/work-for-us/work-experience/
Little Aston
http://www.spirehealthcare.com/littleaston/job-vacancies/
Co-op Pharmacies [email protected]
Leisure
Thinktank
http://www.thinktank.ac
Sandwell Park Farm
http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/workexperience
Sutton Park Rangers
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/parksworkplacement
Birmingham Museum
Pat Ferrins [[email protected]]
Birmingham Library
Teresa Mulrennan [[email protected]]
Sea Life Centre
http://www.visitsealife.com/birmingham/default/careers/
Walsall Local History Centre
http://cms.walsall.gov.uk/index/libraries_museums_and_arts/museums/localhistoryce
ntre.htm
New Art Gallery Walsall
http://cms.walsall.gov.uk/index/libraries_museums_and_arts/arts/new_art_gallery2.htm
Walsall Museum
http://cms.walsall.gov.uk/index/libraries_museums_and_arts/museums/walsall_muse
um.htm
Walsall Libraries
http://cms.walsall.gov.uk/index/libraries_museums_and_arts/libraries/walsall_library
_volunteers.htm
Countryside Rangers
http://cms.walsall.gov.uk/index/leisure_sports_community/countryside.htm
Sports and Community
http://cms.walsall.gov.uk/index/leisure_sports_community/sports_leisure_developme
nt.htm
Walsall Outdoor Pursuits
http://cms.walsall.gov.uk/index/leisure_sports_community/sports_leisure_developme
nt/outdoor_pursuits.htm
Fairlawns Hotel
John Pette [[email protected]]
Media
BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/careers/work-experience/
Headline Communications
http://www.hline.co.uk/team/
Lichfield Gazette
http://www.lichfieldgazette.co.uk/contact-us/
Television Junction
http://www.televisionjunction.co.uk/contact.html
Pioneer Publishing
http://www.pioneerpublishing.co.uk/Aldridge_dist.htm
Birmingham Hospital Media
http://www.bhbn.net/
Creative
Midland Arts Centre
http://www.macarts.co.uk/jobs/work-experience/
Birmingham Rep
http://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/participate/youngpeople/young-rep/
Custard Factory
http://www.custardfactory.co.uk/
Sixth Story Creative
http://www.sixthstory.co.uk/about/
Walsall Council Creative Development Team
http://cms.walsall.gov.uk/index/libraries_museums_and_arts/arts/creative_developm
ent_team.htm
Forest Arts Centre
http://cms.walsall.gov.uk/index/libraries_museums_and_arts/arts/forest_arts_centre.
htm
Foster Design Associates
http://www.fosterdesignassociates.co.uk/location/
Glenlake International
http://www.glenlake-int.co.uk/project-management/
Brownhill Hayward Brown
http://www.bhbarchitects.co.uk/practice.html
Civil Engineering
Barhale Engineering
http://www.barhale.co.uk/en/company/profile/
Business (Finance/Marketing/Sales/Planning & Development/IT)
KPMG
http://www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/
Ernest Young
http://www.ey.com/UK/en/Careers/Students/The-EY-difference
Walsall Council Regeneration
http://cms.walsall.gov.uk/index/regeneration/regeneration_intro.htm
Walsall Council Planning & Development
http://cms.walsall.gov.uk/index/environment/planning.htm
A F Blakemores
http://www.afblakemore.com/careers/welcome
Manor Hospital IT/Finance https://www.walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk/workexperience.aspx
West Midlands Economic Forum
http://westmidlandseconomicforum.co.uk/index.php/pages/info/about
Events Management
Headzup Business
Cohesion Ltd
http://www.headzupbusiness.co.uk/
http://www.cohesionltd.co.uk/
Health & Social Care
Aldridge Court Nursing Home
Independent Living Centre
Amy Purewal [[email protected]]
Lloyd Sue [[email protected]]
Put your address and contact details here
Mobile phone
Email address
Date
Dear Sir/Madam (or Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Name)
I am currently a Year 12 student at Aldridge School, Walsall and as part of our
school curriculum, I need to arrange a week of work experience during the
week of 9-13 February 2015.
I would be grateful if you could offer me the opportunity of sampling ‘the world
of work’ at your company/within your organisation because I would like to
experience following work routines, working with adults, undertaking new
tasks and developing confidence.
Insert a paragraph here about the subjects you are taking at school, what
courses/subjects you are looking to do at university if this is relevant to your
placement)
Any hobbies/interests/ achievements you have or any work experience eg.
part-time work.
If you can help me please let me know. If you require verification from my
school the Work Experience Co-ordinator is Mrs J Nock on 01922 743988 ext.
236 or email [email protected]
Yours faithfully/sincerely,
Sign you name here and print your name underneath.