Planning Work Experience

You may have the opportunity to talk to someone, for example, your work experience coordinator or Connexions personal adviser, about the opportunities available to you during your work experience.

All companies have to meet health and safety requirements by law; your school will give you some advanced preparation in this including the things you MUST NOT do. Because pupils on work experience are deemed employees you also have a responsibility to behave and act in a safe way.

When you start your placement your supervisor will also explain the health and safety requirements of their business.

You might have the chance to talk things through with someone, for example, your work experience coordinator, Connexions personal adviser, and possibly, the employer.

You should discuss:

• what the employer does and what sort of work experience placement they can offer you
• what you can learn from the experience
• any particular skills or knowledge that especially interest you
• what you should wear whilst on placement (casual/smart/uniform)
• which days you will be working and what time you will be expected to start and finish. If there is a problem, sort it out before your first day
• how you are going to get to the placement – walk, train, bus, bike. Ask if there is a safe place to leave a bike
• how the experience will help you with your schoolwork
• the importance of being on time, being polite and communicating clearly
• what to do if there is an emergency or if you are ill
• how you can keep a record of your experience using a diary or the Work Experience Certificate Log Book/Log Book Plus.

If you are using the Connexions West of England Work Experience Certificate Log Book/Log Book Plus the following needs to be completed before you start your placement.

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