WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME Work Experience as part of full-time students’ Programme of Study: A guide for parents on the requirements for work experience and their role in supporting it.

A Guide for Parents and Carers

Introduction for Parents – Work Experience Programme Dear Parent/Guardian, Stoke on Trent College provides vocational education and training from entry level to higher education. Our students learn by doing as well as by studying using resources that are typical in the work place. We aim to make all our students work-ready and employable and work experience is really important in helping our students to achieve the employability skills, attributes and mindsets that are essential in the workplace. To this end, all full-time students will complete an external work experience placement during their course of study (unless they are completing applications for university places). Your support in encouraging your son/daughter’s engagement with work experience is important to us. The benefits to them are enormous. Employers look for relevant experience in a real work situation during the recruitment/interview process, and whilst your son/daughter will be engaged in working in real, fully operational working environments within college, this is simply to prepare them for the experience of working in an external organisation – and ultimately, future employment. Benefits for students: Students will have the opportunity to develop General Employability Skills:       

Working independently and as part of a team Communicating clearly and confidently Contributing creative and innovative solutions Using numerical skills to solve problems and present information Using technology with confidence Contributing to a successful and sustainable workplace Following safe working practices

In addition, the opportunity to develop the following Attributes and Mindsets:      

Respecting all customers & colleagues Working to the best of their ability A willingness to listen, learn and contribute Honesty and reliability Being punctual and meeting deadlines Presenting themselves to meet the standards expected of the workplace

Stoke on Trent College is very grateful for your support of the experience of work programme that we offer to students. You can rest assured that work placement providers are checked to ensure the safety and security of all students.

Work Experience Programme All learners are encouraged to seek an employer willing and able to take them on placement (for a minimum of 5 days). This might be on a day release basis or on a block basis (i.e. Monday – Friday). Individual tutors will confirm with your son/daughter the required mode of attendance. Details (name of company; address; contact name and telephone number or email) should be passed on to the Work Experience Coordinators at Burslem or Cauldon via Group Tutors. They will then complete health and safety checks and liaise with the employer to finalise all the details. During the placement, students will need to keep a note of the induction they receive and details of what they do each day in their Work Experience Student Diary. At the end of the placement, this will be returned to the Group Tutor and held on file together with a progress report from the employer. These documents often help to inform references for future employment.

In the past two years, since implementing the Work Experience programme, we have had huge success in placing students which has often resulted in learners progressing to apprenticeships, part-time work and even full-time employment.

Some frequently asked questions regarding experience of work 1. Are students insured whilst on placement? Students on work opportunities are employees of the organisation under law with regards to the Health and Safety (Training for Employment) Regulations 1990 and Employers Liability Insurance (ELI). 2. Are work experience students classed as employees? Under the Health and Safety (Training for Employment) Regulations 1990 students participating in work opportunities are regarded as employees of the organisation (business, company, charity) for the purposes of health and safety, therefore the Health and Safety at Work Act applies to them as employees. 3. Where can I obtain further advice on the health and safety of young people on work experience? Advice on health and safety of young people on work experience can be obtained from the HSE: www.hse.gov.uk/youngpeople/workexperience/placeprovide.htm

Our commitments and responsibilities The College will:    

Work with the student to prepare them for successful experience of work including briefing the student on the expected behaviour and work opportunity outcomes Provide a contact for the student and the employer Undertake a monitoring call to assess the progress of the student Undertake CRB checks where essential/mandatory to the work opportunity; eg. working in a children’s home, nursery or care establishment

To make the programme successful we ask that employers will: 

       

Take responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of the student as an employee and ensure work only takes place following an assessment of the risks to the student especially if under 18 years of age Agree objectives of the placement; confirm working hours, uniform and expectations before the placement begins Provide any personal protective equipment required Provide adequate supervision at all times Provide induction to the student before starting work tasks Provide effective information and instruction for the work and training tasks of the student Inform the College of any accidents involving the student Keep in contact with the College regarding any problem associated with the fulfilment of the objectives of the work opportunity Provide written feedback and a reference for the student on completion of the placement

We ask that parents will:     

Complete and return the Consent Form at the end of this booklet to the relevant group tutor via the student. Support and encourage students to seek a relevant work placement provider Reinforce the mandatory nature of the work experience programme to the student. Encourage good attendance and punctuality whilst on placement. Contact the Work Experience Coordinators at (Debra Findler; Neil Hamilton at Burslem/Cauldon if you have any concerns or queries relating to work experience on 01782 208208

NB Unfortunately, we are unable to use students’ own part-time employment in lieu of the college’s work experience programme.

Thank you for your support!