How to arrange work experience in 10 steps
How to arrange work experience in 10 steps
Step 1
Step 1
Why do you want a work placement meeting ?
Why do you want a work placement meeting ?
Don't worry if you are still not sure, college is a great time to explore your options and work experience can help you to find out whether a job is right for you.
Don't worry if you are still not sure, college is a great time to explore your options and work experience can help you to find out whether a job is right for you.
Click the buttons below for why you might be looking for a work placement:
Use the button here if you are looking for general work experience to gain skills and develop your experience of work.
Are you undertaking work placement as it is a compulsory part of completing your study programme?
Click the button above for help with this.
There are many subjects you may choose to wish to study at university that ask for work placement to have been completed beforehand.
Click here for information on which subjects ask for this and how to find a placement.
Gaining work placement experience before applying for an apprenticeship is advantageous as it will provide examples you can use for the application and interview processes. Many applications ask for competency based examples which work placement experience will provide.
STEP 2
STEP 2
Research
Research
Have you researched companies/ employers?
Finding out which companies interest you helps you find a suitable placement. Also think about the practical elements- how would you get to the placement? Is it easier to travel to?
Have you thought about when you want to start the placement?
Work placement is a compulsory element of some courses.
Anything that is not compulsory must be arranged outside of term time.
STEP 3
STEP 3
Arrange a meeting with the Work Placement Officer.
Arrange a meeting with the Work Placement Officer.
Click the link below to arrange a meeting with our work placement officer.
The work placement officer will be able to support you in where to look to gain a work placement in an area of interest/ relevant career area.
Click here for what to expect from a work placement/ careers meeting
Click here to book an appointment with the work placement officer :
Sian Roberts
STEP 4
STEP 4
Action Plan
Action Plan
Use your action plan from your work placement meeting.
Look at the resources and start to look at contacting employers.
Start to look at how to contact employers- do you need a cv? (STEP 5)
Check with an employer when contacting if you need anything to start such as a DBS.
Is your placement voluntary which requires a DBS?
STEP 5
STEP 5
Prepare potentially a cv / cover letter (email) to apply for work placement.
Prepare potentially a cv / cover letter (email) to apply for work placement.
Do you have an up to date CV? An up to date CV is important in securing work experience as it shows your placement employer a record of all your experience and studies and about you as a person. Don't worry if you've never had any work experience- that's what this is for!
STEP 6
STEP 6
Gaining a work placement
Gaining a work placement
If you have managed to source a work placement, please talk to our Work Placement Officer, so we can ensure we risk assess all premises before you arrive. This is essential for your safety and is our area of expertise.
If you are still struggling to find a work placement - please get back in touch with the team. Pop in the office / email futures@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk or book another appointment here :
STEP 7
STEP 7
Completing your work placement
Completing your work placement
You'll need to complete a work log whilst on placement.
If your work placement is a compulsory part of your course, this will be provided by your department.
If you have completed your work placement for university/ for gaining further skills/ experience you will be sent this by the team to complete.
STEP 8
STEP 8
Reflection
Reflection
You'll need to complete a work log whilst on placement.
What skills have you developed? Click here for learning objectives from completing a work placement.
Being a reflective practitioner supports development in communication skills, showcasing what went well, enhancing future performance and continuing professional development.
This will provide you with a document to inform your next steps in any given area.
STEP 9
STEP 9
Feedback
Feedback
You will receive feedback in an email.
Firstly, It is important to continue to learn from your experience and have time to reflect and understand what your best bits were alongside areas to improve.
The team also prides itself on listening to the student/ parent voice. This is a great opportunity to have your say and be involved with highlighting the best of the service and areas that can be improved on.
This will ensure we continually review our work placement provision and listen to the student/ parent voice.
STEP 10
STEP 10
Need more experience?
Need more experience?
Speak to the Employability Officer for support and use the resources on the work placement hub to help source this.
Remember, you've got this!
The vast majority of our students return from placement having had a fantastic time and with a whole host of new skills.
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