CAITHNESS WORK PLACEMENTS MADE EASY

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1 CAITHNESS WORK PLACEMENTS MADE EASY Young people in Caithness need to gain the experience employers are looking for. YOU CAN HELP!

2 EXPERIENCE NECESSARY I spent a ten day period at the Caithness Chamber of Commerce for a College related work experience module. Not only was it engaging, it was also encouraging to see that the skills I had picked up on my business management course were transferable to a workplace environment of this nature. My skills were further enhanced during this placement and my role in the Chamber led to part-time employment. If you have ever advertised for a candidate and stated experience necessary, have you stopped to think where they may have gained their experience? This booklet will explain how easy it is to incorporate work placements into your business. Work placements are a great opportunity to introduce young people to the reality of working life for a limited period of time. The aim is to provide an insight into the world of work, and the opportunity to learn from the experience, by introducing the young person to a variety of tasks and to the culture of the work place, such as: Arriving at the workplace on time Experiencing the length of a working day The disciplines required Removing the fear factor of the unknown (what is it really like?) Meeting new people and working as a team Understanding what the customer is and how important they are to the business Your involvement in offering a work placement is essential in overcoming these fears and creating a real understanding of what going to work is all about. The length of time and method of involving the young person in the workplace can vary. Different options are available to suit varying business needs and the needs of the young person: A week-long full time placement this is the traditional and long-established model for work placement in schools and colleges. Incorporating work placements into the timetable. This may be for an afternoon or a day per week over the course of several weeks, to suit your business and the young person. An extended placement where the young person works full time within your business for an agreed period of time e.g. eight weeks. Over many years Donald S. McGregor & Partners Ltd have regularly had high school pupils attending our business to gain work experience. We appreciate the value in exposing the young person to a genuine workplace experience. NHC UHI Student, Tom Walker To have been granted a position in a business centre was ideal and I could not have asked for a more suitable placement to accompany my course. Tom Walker NHC UHI These are things we take for granted everyday routine, done without thinking easy! But for a school or college student these can be new, interesting and sometimes a bit scary. A bespoke arrangement agreed between the business and the young person to suit all needs. Work placements can take place during the academic term or in the holidays. Remember, YOU set the length of the work placement and the time of year according to the needs of your business. Choose the option that best suits your business. Veterinary Nurse, Sarah Allan, a pupil recruited by Donald S McGregor & Partners Ltd. This benefits the young person by helping guide and inspire their future career decisions and allows the business to meet the potential workers of the future. Within the last two years we have recruited three members of staff, young people who initially attended here on work placement whilst pupils at Thurso High School." Guy Gordon, Director. Donald S. McGregor & Partners Ltd.

3 THE BENEFITS TO YOUR BUSINESS Work Placements can help your Company with: Promoting your business and influence their subject and training choices, thus improving future employee quality. Recruitment opportunities: Providing placements can be a way to access the local labour market and explore a young talent pipeline. Developing your own staff: Supervising, coaching or mentoring young people offers an excellent opportunity to develop employees management skills. Understanding young people: The young person you meet through providing placements will offer new ideas and fresh ways of thinking, reflecting the interests and needs of the next generation of staff, customers and consumers. THE WORK EXPERIENCE PROCESS It is vital that work placements give an accurate picture of the demands of the industry or sector, including job specific skills and tasks. It is also important to consider the existing knowledge and expectations of the young person and any needs they may have. Below are some elements to consider as a basis for establishing a placement: BEFORE THE WORK PLACEMENT The young person can provide you with: A completed application form and/or an up-to-date CV The option of an interview or informal discussion which can be face to face or by telephone/skype Introduction to the work placement should include: A brief description of your business An orientation of the work premises A Health & Safety work induction Assignment of a supervisor Identify goals and objectives through a work placement plan Company rules and regulations (timekeeping, lunches, expected behaviour etc.) Management of the young persons time (guidance on time allocated for tasks, when to seek help) DURING THE WORK PLACEMENT Regular feedback on work placement performance. Discovering what young people can give back to your business. Providing work placements sends a positive message to your workforce about the good values of your business. Engagement in the local community: placements provide a valuable means of creating a positive image of your business within your local community. Contribution to economic development in the local area. Teacher/lecturer contact during the placement (if required). End of placement interview or presentation. AFTER THE WORK PLACEMENT Feedback to the School/College on: The Young Persons placement The placement process Evaluation from the School/College on the work placement experience.

4 FEATURES OF A SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT THE LEGALITIES It s easier than you might think A brilliant work placement one that works for you and the young person is easier to arrange than you may think. Keep it simple with a series of tasks that are within the student s abilities. You want them to leave with a sense of achievement and some useful insights into the world of work. This is what you would hope to accomplish: More than admin: Tea-making and administration are both important and we ve all done them but they re not enough to fill a meaningful work placement. The young person needs to be involved with some day-to-day tasks performed within your business. Variety: A placement that allows the young person to feel part of the team and, being involved in a variety of tasks will provide more interest and be time well spent. Contrary to general opinion, health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements are not a barrier to establishing work placements within your business. As an employer, you will already be aware that it is a legal requirement for companies to risk assess their workplace for all employees, including having the correct insurances in place. Work placements are no different. It is important to protect the young person but also ensure your business is covered. The Highland Council has people who will visit your premises and help you check that everything is in place, at no cost to your business. It usually takes around an hour and you will have the peace of mind of knowing that you are fully compliant. Legally there are aspects of work that young people may not be able to do, but the Work Experience Unit will support you all the way through the process. For further info. visit the Health and Safety Executive website: What it s like to be the boss: Help the young person understand how to behave around the boss by allowing them to sit in with someone senior for a short time. Customers: Meeting and communicating with customers to see what they expect. The bigger picture: Help the young person understand that your business is one element of a much larger network that includes suppliers, the local community and the economy. Careers advice: Once you get to know the young person and their skills, you can help them achieve their ambitions by sharing your own experience and advice.

5 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: CAITHNESS CHAMBERof COMMERCE North Highland College UHI Farr High School Thurso High School Wick High School Caithness Chamber of Commerce The North Highland Developing the Young Workforce programme was established by the Scottish Government and is funded by both the Scottish Government and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.