• Work experience gives you the chance to learn outside the classroom. 

• It will give you the opportunity to explore new industries where you can learn about a particular job or area of work.

• It will help you figure out what sort of working environment suits you best. 

• You can develop workplace skills and practical experience.

• Work experience can help you decide on your options after Year 11 and beyond.

• You will develop vital skills

• Confidence

• Communication 

• Leadership

• Teamwork

• Work experience also equips you with knowledge that will enhance your job applications and particularly your interviews.

• You can add this experience onto your CV and applications to make yourself more employable.

• We will add whether you have done work experience to your college reference.

• Some work experience can lead to employment. If employers are impressed they may offer more work experience, part-time work or even an apprenticeship.

Plan ahead and think about what you want to do. Think about: 

• the careers you are currently considering

• the kind of person you are, your likes and dislikes

• what is important to you in a job. Do you like working with people, animals,  computers.

• the environment you would like to work in, whether that is outdoors, indoors, in a shop, hospital, office or a lab.

• if you want to try a job that you have been interest in or one that is completely new

• what distance can you travel for your work experience

• If you still can’t decide, think about what your favourite subject is and make a list of careers related to that subject.

Here are some ways to find an employer:

• Firstly go to your family/friends, ask your parents, uncles/aunties, brothers/sisters and friends. They may know organisations that may take students to do work experience.

• Speak to your form tutors, subject teachers and Heads of Houses, Assistant Head of houses as well as me as we may have contacts with employers and can offer advice. 

• Use the internet to search for companies in the sector you are interested in.

• Contacting an employer yourself can seem a little daunting at first.  However, there are a number of things you can do beforehand to help you prepare:

1. practise what you are going to say - you could ask your parents for support and ask if they will do a practice phone call

2. if you are going to write or email the employer ask someone to proofread it

3. Research the organisation on their company website

4. Remember to speak clearly and to be polite. Have a pen and paper ready to take notes.