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The processes and pitfalls of arranging work experience for College students

The processes and pitfalls of arranging work experience for College students. Hannah Randall – Employability & Enrichment Manager, Sandwell College Susan Alder – Employability Manager, Telford College of Arts & Technology. An introduction to our Colleges. Telford College of Arts & Technology

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The processes and pitfalls of arranging work experience for College students

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  1. The processes and pitfalls of arranging work experience for College students Hannah Randall – Employability & Enrichment Manager, Sandwell College Susan Alder – Employability Manager, Telford College of Arts & Technology

  2. An introduction to our Colleges • Telford College of Arts & Technology • Central Campus Sandwell College

  3. Benefits of work experience • For employers • Staff skill development and motivation • Fresh ideas/knowledge transfer • Community engagement • Recruitment stream • Try before you buy – Apprenticeships

  4. Benefits of work experience • For students • Motivation for study • Raises aspirations • Builds personal and social skills • Develop employability skills • Helps progression

  5. Benefits of work experience • For curriculum teams • Improved retention rates • Higher success rates • Motivation and engagement increased • Study programmes • Ofsted

  6. A meaningful experience? • High quality placements – employer needs, student targets/ILP and capabilities, complements curriculum, aspirations, Matching • Employability programmes (Career Academies) • Student enterprise • Voluntary and community work • ‘Simulated’ work experience (in college, in other curriculum areas) • Mentoring

  7. Administration • The timeline for work experience • Setting up a procedure • Logging activity during placement • Distance travelled/evaluation • Risk assessments – employers & students • DBS checks

  8. Insurance & Health & Safety • “No employers, however high the risk or length of placement, are charged any extra to their ELI or Public Liability Insurance since 1986 when the Assoc of British Insurers brokered a convention amongst their members” Anthony Johns M.Ed., DPSE Ofsted Trained Inspector of Schools • Students are treated as employees for the period of their placement; it will be the employer’s ELI that covers the learner, not the College’s insurance

  9. Insurance & Health & Safety • “the placement provider (employer) has primary responsibility for the health and safety of the student and should be managing any significant risks” HSE.gov.uk • Keep a sense of proportion • Satisfy yourself that the employer has risk management policies in place • Induction, accident reporting/first aid, fire evacuation, training, supervision, signage • Additional risk assessment based on individual learner needs

  10. Sourcing work experience • Curriculum contacts? • Students/family • BDU/Employer Responsive Team • Local Education Business Partnership • Local Enterprise Partnership • Chamber of Commerce/networking • Industry bodies • STEM Ambassadors • Universities • College contracted suppliers (mandatory?) • Capital development contactors

  11. Successful approaches • Payment? • Swapping resources • Accommodating a national programme (Whitbread plc), Career Academies • Flexibility – meet employer requirements/needs • Matching students to placements • Preparing students for placements • Try before you buy – Apprenticeships • ‘Live’ enterprise projects for employers

  12. Barriers to success • Timetables – enrichment slots • Curriculum staff • Communication • matching • Learner engagement and preparation • Resources • Inflexibility/timing

  13. Good news stories • Two students completed Work experience over the summer at the Thomson Travel agents in Wellington and have now been offered full time positions • Two students had work experience with Muller in Market Drayton, these students are being put forward for the Apprenticeship programme, the Muller Apprenticeship will enable the students to complete a level 3 Engineering and then move onto a degree. • The Phoenix engineering project – Project run with the Phoenix school, Telford College and Muller. The learners completed the industrial cadet award (first in Shropshire). This project has led to 3 out of the 6 that attended to apply for the Muller Engineering Apprenticeship

  14. Good news stories • A level 3 Engineering Student undertook a week long placement at Berck Engineering and was offered an apprenticeship • Engagement with Birmingham City University has led to multiple opportunities for automotive, engineering and motorsport learners to attend seminars, workshops, campus visits and practical projects • A further level 3 Engineering student undertook a placement at Premier Inn West Bromwich and was offered part time work

  15. Contacts • Susan.alder@tcat.ac.uk • 01952 642308 • Hannah.randall@sandwell.ac.uk • 0121 667 5120

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