Work Experience
Work Experience is designed to give students an additional insight into the world of work, its discipline and its relationships. Past experience has shown this scheme to be beneficial to all taking part; it clears up misconceptions about particular jobs, enables students to gain new and worthwhile experiences, and can allow better informed career choices.
Please Note: It is no longer a requirement that all students undertake Work Experience and we will not be able to guarantee work experience for all students.
It is essential that students carefully consider the placement that they would like to pursue and need to consider the following requirements:
1. The employer must have Employers and Public Liability Insurance in place; these documents are checked on prior to the placement starting (this can sometimes be an obstacle to using a self-employed person for a work placement).
2. The employer must agree to a Health and Safety check being carried out by the Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, to ensure the wellbeing of all of our students.
3. Placements have to be in the immediate locality (Derbyshire, Sheffield, Stockport & Manchester) so that Health and Safety visits can be arranged. The Derbyshire Education Business Partnership do not discourage out of county placements, however please be aware that out of county organisations will often charge for Health and Safety checks. Charges vary by county up to the region of £50. If a charge is required the College may ask for a donation towards this fee. Bear in mind also that a student who carries out work experience out of the immediate area may not be visited by a member of staff during their week out.
4. A database of approved work experience providers (who comply with items 1, 2, & 3) can be found at http://www.work-experience.co.uk/derby
Username: hope Password: student
5. Placements with an employer not on the database are only possible if they can be approved.
6. They should be placed in a job which interests them and which is within their capabilities, given adequate instruction and supervision. Students should be actively involved in the work as watching for a week can get tedious.
7. To be a worthwhile learning activity, previous (or current) employers, of the student, may not be used.
8. Hope Valley College is not in a position to arrange transport to a work placement.
9. Students should as far as possible work normal hours with the employer, but not more than 8 hours per day between 7.00 am. and 7.00 pm. It is possible to work up to 10.00 pm. but only with your express permission and if arrangements can be made for the student to get home safely.
10. The County Council bars placements with a near relative (e.g. parent, sister, grandparent).
11. As it is a part of their full time education students should not be paid during the placement.
A valuable part of this scheme is in securing a suitable placement, contacting employers and making an initial visit. We strongly encourage students to take a full and responsible role in this, but appreciate that they may well need support either in accessing the database or finding a new (non-approved) placement. Parents/carers may well be able to suggest a suitable employer who can meet the needs of their daughter/son, maybe a work colleague, acquaintance or distant relative and provide encouragement in making the initial contact. Once the placement has been agreed in principle we can (hopefully) get it approved.
We need to have all of the initial forms returned to us by Thursday 9 February 2012 for a Summer placement.
The legislation that we have to operate with in Work Experience placements is, rightly, very tight. However, we are always amazed at the range of exciting placements that students find each year and are confident that between us we can secure some more quality work experiences.
Initial_letter_to_parents_Oct_11.pdf
Work_Experience_2012_Basic_guide.pdf
list_of_placements_used_in previous years_2012.pdf
Students