How is going out on Work Experience going to help me?

The aim of most work experience is to help students prepare for the change between school life and working life. Some students have to do Work Experience as part of a course they are studying in school and it may be related to a vocational area e.g. hospitality, sports, construction.

Work experience can have a number of benefits for the student. It can help you to:

gain a greater understanding of the world of work and how businesses operate
learn what an employer will expect of you as an employee ie punctuality, dress code etc
learn new skills such as sending a fax, using a photocopier, speaking to customers on the phone, taking messages, working with others, following instructions etc.
decide what kind of work you might choose when you leave school (or what you don't want to do!)
understand more about the skills needed for different jobs in order to make a more informed decision about your choice of career
develop self confidence - many students appreciate being treated as an adult and respond well to being given responsibility
It can be a useful feature to include on your CV when you apply for a job after leaving school.

How can I find my own work placement?

Begin by thinking about then discussing with your parents or tutor what you want to do on work experience. You don't necessarily have to choose something that you want to do as a job when you leave school. The aim is for you to experience life in an adult workplace. It might even be an advantage to do something different.

If your parents know someone in that line of work that could be a useful way of getting a placement. Alternatively look at the list of approved placements provided by the Work Experience Co-ordinator at your school and see if there is anything suitable. If not, why not search for your own placement?

When you have found your own placement you can download a copy of the‘Own Find Form’ here which you must ask the employer to complete and return to you school Work Experience Co-ordinator.

When is my school going out on work experience?

Download a list of the dates when Ealing and Hillingdon Schools and Colleges are going out on work experience.

(Check the date with your Work Experience Co-ordinator at your school or college if you're not sure about anything).