Apprenticeships

Pre-16 Work Experience Employers Guide

Work experience is a placement with an employer in which a young person (aged 14-16) carries out a particular task or duty, or a range of tasks or duties, as would an employee, but with the emphasis on the learning aspects of the experience.

It is hoped that work experience can be of mutual benefit to both the young person and the business involved.

Strategic Benefits:

Increase recruitment of young people to your business.
Establish links with local schools.
Community and social responsibility objectives are met.

Personal Benefits:

Personal and professional development.
Young people to promote your profession.
The experience of working with a young person.
Another dimension to your professional role.
Personal satisfaction.
Improve your knowledge of the education system.

Young people go on pre-16 work experience in the last two years of compulsory education. There is block work experience lasting Monday - Friday for one week, and there is extended work experience, where the young person attends for one or two days a week over a longer period of time.

For further information about the 14-19 educational reforms, please visit www.dfes.gov.uk

Employer Requirements

The young person will carry out meaningful work and the employer will ensure that a responsible person will plan the work and the young person will be given appropriate instruction, training and supervision.
The employer will ensure that the young person does not operate any hazardous machinery, work in a hazardous environment, or carry out work of an unsuitable or objectionable nature, and that any special or protective clothing/equipment is supplied where necessary.
The young person will NOT receive any payment for this work. The employer may wish to contribute directly to the young person towards cost of travel and meals, but this is not an obligation.
The young person will not be allowed to work outside the hours stipulated in the job description unless the prior agreement of the parents/carers is obtained.
A representative from the school may, in consultation with the employer, visit the young person during the course of work experience.
The young person’s parents/carers will confirm that he/she is not suffering from any complaint which may cause a hazard either to the young person or those working with him/her.
The employer must have in place Employer’s Liability Insurance cover against accident or injury caused by the young person, whilst acting as a servant of the organisation.
In case of absence or sickness the employer will notify, by telephone and without delay, the school, or Trident from Edexcel (01249 701 717) Trident from Edexcel contacts details and the young person’s home if a telephone number is given. In the case of an accident, the employer will notify both the school and Trident from Edexcel. The young person will be allowed to use whatever first aid facilities the employer provides.
The employer will observe all current legislation, in particular that relating to Health and Safety, Sex Discrimination, Race Relations and is aware of and implements ‘Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999’.
The company agrees to undertake a risk assessment, appropriate to the individual young person, and communicate this to the young person’s parents/carers. Risk Assessment of Employers’ Premises form

How you can get further involved

Other types of ‘work experience’

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships help employers train and retain motivated people. They offer training in a wide range of areas from business administration to specialist areas such as engineering.

The benefits to a business can be immense:

Productivity – Apprenticeships equip young people with the skills and knowledge to do the job better. And because they are motivated they work harder and more effectively for your business.
Motivated people – Apprentices are motivated to learn. By offering Apprenticeships you will find it easier to recruit and retain staff.
Relevant training – Apprenticeships are designed by businesses in your sector to meet the needs of your business. This means the training is always relevant.
Avoid skills shortages – By taking on an Apprentice you can acquire specialist skills for your business that allow you to keep abreast of new technology.

For more information go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Work shadowing

An individual young person ‘shadows’ an individual employee going about his or her normal activities, allowing close observation of jobs, which for reasons of complexity, safety or security cannot be actively undertaken by the young person.

Work observation

Individuals or groups of young people are guided round the workplace to watch a range of employee activities or work processes.

Work based projects

Individuals or groups of young people carry out projects on an employer’s premises. This could be problem solving exercises or coursework assignments.

Mock interviews

Young people are given experience of interviews.

Mentoring

Staff time and expertise to support a young person in the work place.

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<< To front page Home Newsletter Work Experience Employers Guide Health and Safety FAQs Promoting Diversity Best Practice and Resources Case Studies Download Forms UsefulContacts Accessibility Wex Policy	Apprenticeships Pre-16 Work Experience Employers Guide Work experience is a placement with an employer in which a young person (aged 14-16) carries out a particular task or duty, or a range of tasks or duties, as would an employee, but with the emphasis on the learning aspects of the experience. It is hoped that work experience can be of mutual benefit to both the young person and the business involved. Strategic Benefits: Increase recruitment of young people to your business. Establish links with local schools. Community and social responsibility objectives are met. Personal Benefits: Personal and professional development. Young people to promote your profession. The experience of working with a young person. Another dimension to your professional role. Personal satisfaction. Improve your knowledge of the education system. Young people go on pre-16 work experience in the last two years of compulsory education. There is block work experience lasting Monday - Friday for one week, and there is extended work experience, where the young person attends for one or two days a week over a longer period of time. For further information about the 14-19 educational reforms, please visit www.dfes.gov.uk Employer Requirements The young person will carry out meaningful work and the employer will ensure that a responsible person will plan the work and the young person will be given appropriate instruction, training and supervision. The employer will ensure that the young person does not operate any hazardous machinery, work in a hazardous environment, or carry out work of an unsuitable or objectionable nature, and that any special or protective clothing/equipment is supplied where necessary. The young person will NOT receive any payment for this work. The employer may wish to contribute directly to the young person towards cost of travel and meals, but this is not an obligation. The young person will not be allowed to work outside the hours stipulated in the job description unless the prior agreement of the parents/carers is obtained. A representative from the school may, in consultation with the employer, visit the young person during the course of work experience. The young person’s parents/carers will confirm that he/she is not suffering from any complaint which may cause a hazard either to the young person or those working with him/her. The employer must have in place Employer’s Liability Insurance cover against accident or injury caused by the young person, whilst acting as a servant of the organisation. In case of absence or sickness the employer will notify, by telephone and without delay, the school, or Trident from Edexcel (01249 701 717) Trident from Edexcel contacts details and the young person’s home if a telephone number is given. In the case of an accident, the employer will notify both the school and Trident from Edexcel. The young person will be allowed to use whatever first aid facilities the employer provides. The employer will observe all current legislation, in particular that relating to Health and Safety, Sex Discrimination, Race Relations and is aware of and implements ‘Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999’. The company agrees to undertake a risk assessment, appropriate to the individual young person, and communicate this to the young person’s parents/carers. Risk Assessment of Employers’ Premises form How you can get further involved Other types of ‘work experience’ Apprenticeships Apprenticeships help employers train and retain motivated people. They offer training in a wide range of areas from business administration to specialist areas such as engineering. The benefits to a business can be immense: Productivity – Apprenticeships equip young people with the skills and knowledge to do the job better. And because they are motivated they work harder and more effectively for your business. Motivated people – Apprentices are motivated to learn. By offering Apprenticeships you will find it easier to recruit and retain staff. Relevant training – Apprenticeships are designed by businesses in your sector to meet the needs of your business. This means the training is always relevant. Avoid skills shortages – By taking on an Apprentice you can acquire specialist skills for your business that allow you to keep abreast of new technology. For more information go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk Work shadowing An individual young person ‘shadows’ an individual employee going about his or her normal activities, allowing close observation of jobs, which for reasons of complexity, safety or security cannot be actively undertaken by the young person. Work observation Individuals or groups of young people are guided round the workplace to watch a range of employee activities or work processes. Work based projects Individuals or groups of young people carry out projects on an employer’s premises. This could be problem solving exercises or coursework assignments. Mock interviews Young people are given experience of interviews. Mentoring Staff time and expertise to support a young person in the work place. back to top
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