The National Council for Work Experience:-
- 100,000 Higher education students for work experience
- 550,000 Key Stage 4 pupils 2 week placements
Foundation degrees based on employers employers needs
- Contribute immediately to workplace
Transition from 'learning to earning'
Value for work experience:
- Skills are learnt and developed
- Development of personality
- Influencing career decisions
What you can learn in workplace
- New skills
- Practical e.g. computer software, telephone, fax, photocopier, machinery
- Researching, writing reports, telephone techniques (developing/practicing skills)
- Apply university theory
- Learning how to be punctual and well presented
- Living on a budget and travel arrangements
- Time management and organisation skills
- Dealing with aspects you don't like
- Find a balance between being willing to help and not doing work you're not comfortable with
Career Decisions:
- Many employers expect work experience since they don't have time tot train new recruits
- work experience demonstrates student's commitment to specific job
Benefits for employers:
- Ability to write reports, conduct research, operate computer software packages
- Students more enthusiastic
- Build greater links with university to recruit graduates
- "Employers need you as much as you need them"
- Have something to offer them
Different types of placement:
- Sandwich course - prior to final year of your degree with support from university
- Internship - originally from USA. Short time. Many go on to work for organisation
- Course-specific placement - Help from university to find relevant placement
- Gap year - Helps financially. Helps to get part-time work during university
- Vacation placements
- Voluntary work
- International exchange
- Part-time work
