Work Experience Network Conference 2005 Supportive and Inspirational

“Days like this are wonderful for encouraging and acknowledging thought and effort from committed professionals. A great opportunity to exchange best practice.” – Clive Champion, Skillfast UK.

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David Hunt, Connexions West of England - Employability Skills Group Manager, welcomed delegates to the Work Experience Network Conference on 9 March 2005 and promised a very full day of presentations and workshops with plenty of opportunity to clarify issues and ask questions.

empty “Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm – young people will spread the word.”

First on the stage was Anne Coutts, United Bristol Hospital Trust - Human Resources Director, who spoke passionately about the crucial role work experience plays in ensuring students gain a realistic image of the healthcare sector.

She stressed the importance of presenting an interesting and exciting early impression and making use of both dynamic and technology-based learning materials.

The UBHT is determined to continue improving the range and quality of work experience opportunities offered to local students – their workforce of tomorrow.

empty “Work Together and Think Creatively”

Laurence Leader, Learning and Skills Council – Director of Strategy started by thanking the audience, “The things you are doing are very effective – but where do we go from here – how can we make the good stuff stick?”

He stressed that to ensure maximum impact, work experience needed to be clearly integrated into the overall 14-16 phase of learning and fairly and equally available to every learner. Successful new approaches needed to be sustainable so that they continued to be used and developed when key members of staff moved on.

With a restricted budget, the Learning and Skills Council will be making sure that it offers the same service to all learners across the area and ensuring that public money is spent as effectively as possible.

The broad range of workshops were well attended and gave practical advice and support to people organising work experience placements as well as an overview of local initiatives to support curriculum areas and work experience programmes. Workshop topics included:

Retail Sector – WEX Development Projects
UBHT and Local Work Related School Activities
Online Developments in WEX and Related Areas
Making It Work – Vocationally Linked WEX
Equality and Diversity – Opening the Door to Experience
Work Related Learning and the Law
WEX and Child Protection – Safeguarding Children in Education
In Introduction to the Health and Safety Database of Approved Employers
Health Sector – WEX Development Projects.

“So - what do you think of it so far?”

By lunchtime the delegates were busily swapping notes with colleagues and were genuinely impressed with the range and quality of the morning’s input.

“Very supportive – you feel reassured that you are not alone!”

“Time to stop and think.”

“The health and safety element scares everyone – the workshop helped put it in perspective.”

“It’s been really useful to talk direct to representatives from organisations offering work experience – especially as my students have learning difficulties. People have been very reassuring and supportive.”

“Always good to learn from others.”

“It’s really useful to find out what local organisations are planning.”

“Great to see organisations offering work experience activities and teaching resources that link directly to the curriculum.”

“The online developments are already making my life easier.”

“The database of approved employers – wonderful! Along with the Experiences of Work website - everything I need in one place!"

“A safe place – for unsafe ideas.”

After the workshops Michael Prior, Arnolfini and Linda Thomas, BBC spoke about their experiences of clustered placements. Being inundated with requests for student placements was the easy answer to why both organisations decided to trial this new style of work experience. A new and creative approach had to be found.

Both projects were deemed a success:

students left with a better understanding of the industries, and were better able to make choices about qualifications and progression.
The students had experiences of work that were focused and challenging and helped develop employability skills.
The workload for all organisations involved was reduced.
Host employers were able to give effective support to students.
Opportunities for staff to manage/train young people were developed.

“Information and advice for all involved.”

Bob Donelan, S-cool, took the delegates through the recently launched Experiences of Work website. The aim of this site is to help all those who are involved in work experience plan, prepare and participate in a positive experience. Teachers/practitioners, employers and students should be able to find support, answers to questions and relevant documentation quickly and easily. There is also a direct link to the Database of Approved Employers.

You can check out the site at www.experiencesofwork.co.uk

David Hunt summed up a very full, and thought-provoking day of presentations and workshops.

“We must move work experience from the ‘nice to do list’ to the ‘must do list!’ There is a lot of good work happening out there in the field and a lot of new developments coming on stream. Together we can ensure students get experiences of work that are meaningful and inspirational”.

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David Hunt, Connexions West of England - Employability Skills Group Manager, welcomed delegates to the Work Experience Network Conference on 9 March 2005 and promised a very full day of presentations and workshops with plenty of opportunity to clarify issues and ask questions. “Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm – young people will spread the word.” First on the stage was Anne Coutts, United Bristol Hospital Trust - Human Resources Director, who spoke passionately about the crucial role work experience plays in ensuring students gain a realistic image of the healthcare sector. She stressed the importance of presenting an interesting and exciting early impression and making use of both dynamic and technology-based learning materials. The UBHT is determined to continue improving the range and quality of work experience opportunities offered to local students – their workforce of tomorrow. “Work Together and Think Creatively” Laurence Leader, Learning and Skills Council – Director of Strategy started by thanking the audience, “The things you are doing are very effective – but where do we go from here – how can we make the good stuff stick?” He stressed that to ensure maximum impact, work experience needed to be clearly integrated into the overall 14-16 phase of learning and fairly and equally available to every learner. Successful new approaches needed to be sustainable so that they continued to be used and developed when key members of staff moved on. With a restricted budget, the Learning and Skills Council will be making sure that it offers the same service to all learners across the area and ensuring that public money is spent as effectively as possible. The broad range of workshops were well attended and gave practical advice and support to people organising work experience placements as well as an overview of local initiatives to support curriculum areas and work experience programmes. Workshop topics included: Retail Sector – WEX Development Projects UBHT and Local Work Related School Activities Online Developments in WEX and Related Areas Making It Work – Vocationally Linked WEX Equality and Diversity – Opening the Door to Experience Work Related Learning and the Law WEX and Child Protection – Safeguarding Children in Education In Introduction to the Health and Safety Database of Approved Employers Health Sector – WEX Development Projects. “So - what do you think of it so far?” By lunchtime the delegates were busily swapping notes with colleagues and were genuinely impressed with the range and quality of the morning’s input. “Very supportive – you feel reassured that you are not alone!” “Time to stop and think.” “The health and safety element scares everyone – the workshop helped put it in perspective.” “It’s been really useful to talk direct to representatives from organisations offering work experience – especially as my students have learning difficulties. People have been very reassuring and supportive.” “Always good to learn from others.” “It’s really useful to find out what local organisations are planning.” “Great to see organisations offering work experience activities and teaching resources that link directly to the curriculum.” “The online developments are already making my life easier.” “The database of approved employers – wonderful! Along with the Experiences of Work website - everything I need in one place!" “A safe place – for unsafe ideas.” After the workshops Michael Prior, Arnolfini and Linda Thomas, BBC spoke about their experiences of clustered placements. Being inundated with requests for student placements was the easy answer to why both organisations decided to trial this new style of work experience. A new and creative approach had to be found. Both projects were deemed a success: students left with a better understanding of the industries, and were better able to make choices about qualifications and progression. The students had experiences of work that were focused and challenging and helped develop employability skills. The workload for all organisations involved was reduced. Host employers were able to give effective support to students. Opportunities for staff to manage/train young people were developed. “Information and advice for all involved.” Bob Donelan, S-cool, took the delegates through the recently launched Experiences of Work website. The aim of this site is to help all those who are involved in work experience plan, prepare and participate in a positive experience. Teachers/practitioners, employers and students should be able to find support, answers to questions and relevant documentation quickly and easily. There is also a direct link to the Database of Approved Employers. You can check out the site at www.experiencesofwork.co.uk David Hunt summed up a very full, and thought-provoking day of presentations and workshops. “We must move work experience from the ‘nice to do list’ to the ‘must do list!’ There is a lot of good work happening out there in the field and a lot of new developments coming on stream. Together we can ensure students get experiences of work that are meaningful and inspirational”. << back
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