Enhance Employability Skills Through Work Experience Placements

Work Experience 18th-22nd July 2022

What is Work Experience? Students in Year 10 have the opportunity to gain work experience placements to enhance their employability skills and personal development. This opportunity is vital to ensuring students make an informed choice about their future education and career path. Many of the academic institutes and employers who students will be applying for now make work experience a requirement for particular fields. 2

Young people who have 4 or more encounters with an employer are: 86% less likely to be unemployed or not in education or training Can earn up to 18% more during their career Work experience is your chance to start learning vital social and life skills that you will need (combined with good grades) to increase your employability. It aids the transition from school to work and training 3

How do you decide what placement you want? Consider the following questions: What subjects do you like doing at school? What are your interests and hobbies? What are your career aspirations? What would you like to be? Are you clear about what you might be expected to do at your chosen placement? How am I going to get there? (Walk/bus/train/cycle/lift by parent/carer). PLEASE TRY AND KEEP TO DUDLEY BOROUGH. If you arrange your work experience outside this area, then a charge for a Health and Safety visit to authorise your placement, will be passed onto your parent/carer 4

How do you find an employer? Research local employers in your area that interest you. Research the company and the type of work they do. Email, write or telephone your chosen employers. Maintain professionalism good use of spelling and grammar in any letters or email. Speak clearly and in a formal manner if telephoning and make sure you leave a contact name and number. Ask family, friends and teachers if they know anyone who works in this kind of job or industry that interests you. 5

Example email/letter to employer Dear sir/madam [or name], I am a year 10 student from Kingswinford Academy, studying I would like to enquire about a potential work experience placement at [company name], which i will be available to attend for 1 week from Monday 18th July - Friday 22nd July 2022. I am keen on gaining some practical experience in [job field], because I am organised, resilient and courageous [any qualities you have], which can be shown by [examples of showing those qualities] In my spare time, I like to [any hobbies/interests/clubs you attend]. As an enthusiastic student with keen interest in your company, as well as a passion to pursue within this industry, i would be very grateful to be considered for an opportunity at [company name] Look forward to hearing from you. Thank you [Name] 6

What you need to do... During Summer you need to begin to look around and approach some companies to get the ball rolling. Start ringing/emailing and speaking to any employers you may want to complete your placement at. Competition for work experience is high! Apply early, as places may be limited.You will need to be resilient. Don t expect the first application you make to say yes. Resilience is a skill you can learn from this process and one that will be of value throughout your life! 7

Work Experience Steps 1. Find and contact employers to ask for a placement. 2. Regularly update form tutor about which employers you have contacted. 3. Let your form tutor know once an employer accepts your placement request. 4. See Mrs Woodhouse in the Careers Office any time on a Tuesday 8am - 4pm. 1. Complete the forms and return to Mrs Woodhouse. 8

Any Questions Email: Miss McFarlane nmcfarlane@kingswinford.windso racademytrust.org.uk OR careers@kingswinford.windsoraca demytrust.org.uk