An Employer s Guide to Work Experience in. Environmental Sector. Supported by. Endorsed by

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1 An Employer s Guide to Work Experience in Environmental Sector Supported by Endorsed by

2 EMPLOYERS WORK EXPERIENCE GUIDE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SECTOR Welcome to the Employers Guide Thank you so much for taking a student on work experience. We realise that it can be challenging, having to think of suitable activities for a young person to do to get the best out of their work experience. This guide is designed to give you a range of tasks and activities to use with your trainee. You can select activities from the list, or work through all the tasks within the guide. Alternatively, you may want to design your own activities for the student to carry out. Contents Market Intelligence... 2 Trainee Specification... 3 Some information you may want to give your trainee... 4 Suggested work activities for your trainee to carry out... 5 Student Tasks Student Tasks Student Tasks Problem Solving Exercise Mock Interview Exercise Mock Interview Assessment Sheet Observational Tasks A Suggested Programme Work Experience Progress Report DEVON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

3 Market Intelligence The environmental sector is a huge and diverse sector that includes jobs in environmental management, sustainability, renewable energy and emerging low carbon technology. Converting the UK economy to low carbon presents huge employment opportunities, with as many as 1.3 million people predicted to be working in 'green jobs' by Renewable energy jobs include biomass, geothermal technology, hydro energy, solar energy as well as wind, wave and tidal energy. Low carbon technology looks at additional energy sources, alternative fuels and carbon and capture and storage in addition to energy management. Jobs in the environmental sector also include jobs working on air quality, contaminated land, waste management, acoustics and water and waste treatment. There are links with construction through building technology, and links to farming and agriculture through food, farming and organics. Other links are through the marine conservation of fishing stocks. A foundation of science, technology, engineering and math s STEM, supports many jobs in this area of work. Climate change is an important part of conservation, where climate change scientists analyse weather systems and the reduction of greenhouse gasses. Conservation includes game conservation, horticulture and animal care. This can include land and building conservation such as working for the National Trust, English Heritage or Natural England. Land conversation includes forestry and the sustainable production of wood through land management, working for large landowners such as the Forestry Commission and the Duchy of Cornwall. Ecology and conservation also includes corporate and social responsibility Some additional employment areas are as follows: Environmental education Environmental campaigning Sustainable transport Chemical processing industries Air quality and air pollution monitoring International development Policy strategy and legislation Green and clean technology Sustainable supply chains DEVON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP 2

4 Trainee Specification For this placement applicants should: Be interested and motivated towards a career in the environmental sector. Be well presented. Have good projected GCSE or A Level Grades. Alternatively, you may have achieved a vocational award in some aspect of this type of work. The personal qualities required are: A good attendance record at school. An interest in conservation, ecology or renewable energy and low carbon technology. An awareness of Health and Safety. Being hard working, with good communication and interpersonal skills (which are essential attributes for working in the environmental sector). To be able to show an appreciation of business and finance (which is of prime importance in all aspects of this industry). There are many types of jobs within the industry and each sector will require a slightly different set of personal qualities and skills in addition to those listed above. Some technologies will require a good grounding in science, technology, engineering and math s, STEM subjects. DEVON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP 3

5 Some information you may want to give your trainee: Information Information Initial induction and history of the business Developments within the environmental sector Types of jobs within the sector/industry and their work patterns - career and training opportunities The structure of the organisation The responsibilities of working in this sector The company s corporate identity The image the sector wants to portray to the general public The methods used to encourage participation Explanation of the firm s Health and Safety policy Health and Safety rules and accident reporting - get them to read Health and Safety documents Common hazards and how to avoid them How to protect oneself and co-workers from a potential hazard or a health and safety risk How to use safety work wear and equipment if applicable Work rules and regulations that have to be followed The different work roles and tasks within the organisation How ICT is used within the business How different sectors of the firm/industry work together The systems used for administration Stock control and resource management How to follow quality control procedures Economical use of resources, such as water, light and energy Procedures for reducing and recycling waste Trends and developments within the sector The different types of jobs in the conservation sector Understanding the basic facts and figures about the sector Explanation of climate change, renewable energy and emerging low carbon technology Environmental matters Control regulations and good practice DEVON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP 4

6 Suggested work activities for your trainee to carry out ü Please tick the tasks you have selected Work Tasks ü Work Skills ü Key Skills ü Enforcing a strict punctuality requirement Wearing protective clothing and footwear if applicable Negotiating your work experience programme with supervisor Promoting reliability and responsibility Understanding the need for a health and safety clothing code Showing a positive attitude at work Developing personal qualities and work skills Following instructions from supervisor Taking part in discussions with colleagues and/or your supervisor Helping staff and/or customers Being flexible Showing initiative through team work Reading technical drawings and data Tidying and cleaning work areas - good housekeeping Working with hand tools Checking stock and quality of materials Following quality control procedures Following instructions and listening to technical explanations Understanding how Health and Safety reflects on the business Using equipment safely under guidance Making sure that oneself and others follow health and safety rules Understanding emerging technologies Communication and interpersonal skills ICT and numeracy Developing work skills Understanding safe working practices Reading information and following instructions Developing understanding and work skills Working with tools and electrical equipment Reading and understanding technical information English comprehension and communication skills Recording customer records Communicating with colleagues and supervisor Using IT spreadsheets Preparing work area Carrying out simple work tasks Following instructions from supervisor Reading the firms environmental policy Using CAD Quality control measures Working and planning work: Contamination control Site waste planning Drawing validation Procedures for recycling Applying the policy to work practices Using ICT in a business environment Understanding the quality standards of the company Working and planning work: Health and safety procedures Development phase plan Requisition of materials Developing understanding and work skills Information Communication Technology Computer Assisted Design Using ICT to support quality control Working and planning work: CAD ICT Programming the works Risk Assessment DEVON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP 5

7 Student Tasks 1 Give two major hazards which can commonly occur in the business? Comments: What safe working practices can be used to help prevent the hazards that you have highlighted What safety equipment are you expected to use, and how is it expected to protect you? What equipment have you been instructed not to use? What must you do in the event of an accident? Employer s own unique task: Employer s own unique task: DEVON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP 6

8 Student Tasks 2 Where is the fire extinguisher located? And how should you use it? Comments: Where is the nearest fire alarm point? What should you do in the event of a fire? Who is responsible for first aid? Where is the first aid box located? Employer s own unique task: Employer s own unique task: DEVON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP 7

9 Student Tasks 3 Look at each of the statements and decide what you would do if this happened on your placement A colleague is looking unwell and trying not to show it. Comments: A small amount of stock has fallen on to the floor. You see a large box of stock hanging over a shelf. A customer has made a complaint and is getting quite agitated. A piece of electrical equipment is making a strange noise. Employer s own unique task: Employer s own unique task: DEVON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP 8

10 Problem Solving Exercise: 4 CHOOSE ONE PROBLEM TO SOLVE FROM THOSE LISTED BELOW You can include drawings, plans and publicity materials to present your work. 1. The Green Audit* Carry out a Green Audit to help your employer make financial savings, as well as support the business to play its part in conserving and using resources efficiently. By reducing the amount of energy the business consumes, the water we use and the amount of waste we produce, we can improve business performance and reduce our environmental impact. 2. What do you think can be done to improve our business? Please include any creative ideas that you have for generating new business, or improving the way we work. 3. By now you will have a basic understanding of this area of work, so we have developed a task to assess your understanding and powers of observation: We ask you to give a brief outline of this industry and explain the structure of the organization and the types of jobs within the sector and their work patterns 4. Developments within the environmental sector: We ask you to give an overview of renewable energy, geothermal technology and low carbon technology and say how it is developing within business and the domestic market You can find a copy of the Green Audit on the DEBP website DEVON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP 9

11 Mock Interview Exercise: 5 This is an optional exercise to give the student an experience of having an interview with a knowledgeable supervisor: Specific Why do you want to work in the environmental sector? What do you like most about this type of work? What qualities do you think will be required for this type of work? Why do you want to work here? What can you contribute to the business? General Tell me about yourself. How would you describe yourself? What is your greatest weakness? How would a friend describe you? What are your career goals? How long do you think the training/apprenticeship/time serving is for this job? Skills Based Describe a situation where you had to overcome an obstacle or problem in order to move forward - what did you do? Describe a situation where you worked as part of a team. What sort of experience of work have you had, and how might that be useful in this industry? DEVON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP 10

12 Mock Interview Assessment Sheet 6 Student... Punctuality on placement Early to work On time Late Late with good explanation Appearance Well dressed Suitable More care needed Unsuitable Manner Over confident Confident Nervous Very nervous Attitude Over friendly Friendly Too casual Sullen or uninterested Answering questions Talked too much Answered well Response varied Limited response Asking questions Asked appropriate questions Asked inappropriate questions Asked too many questions Didn t ask any questions Overall impression Performed very well Performed well Performed satisfactorily Needs more practice DEVON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP 11

13 A Suggested Programme Monday to Friday Day Session - Morning Session - Afternoon Objectives - the student will understand and experience Monday Pre-induction planning Induction and tour of the business Career structure Practical Session - read Health and Safety notices Practical tasks - introductory activities Student Task 1 Induction to the business Health and Safety induction Practical tasks Tuesday Students to be allocated a supervisor or mentor Practical activities working alongside a mentor/ supervisor. Practical tasks - introductory activities Practical activities working alongside a mentor/supervisor. Student Tasks 2 and 3 Introduction and appreciation of safe working practices Practical and theory tasks Wednesday Practical session working alongside mentor/supervisor or an alternative site visit. Practical session working alongside mentor/supervisor and allocated staff. Problem solving Task 4 A range of work tasks Problem solving exercise Thursday Practical session working alongside mentor/supervisor or attending an alternative site visit. Practical session working alongside mentor/supervisor and allocated staff Mock interview 5 A range of work tasks Mock interviews Friday Practical session working alongside mentor and allocated staff Practical session working alongside mentor/supervisor and allocated staff Evaluation Practical tasks Observational task Programme Evaluation Note: employers may wish to have a Shared Work Experience where two employers share the placement; for example a biomass manufacturer may take a young person for two days and a geothermal technologist for three days. If you wish to explore this type of provision, there is a case study of a shared placement on our website. DEVON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP 12

14 Work Experience Progress Report To be completed by the work place supervisor Progress report for... Dates Targets and Objectives - the student will understand and experience Indicate if - Achieved Partly Achieved Not Achieved Comments Practical Session - Read Health and Safety notices Practical tasks - introductory activities Achieved Partly Achieved Not Achieved Student Task 1 Practical tasks - introductory activities Practical activities working alongside a mentor. Achieved Partly Achieved Not Achieved Student Tasks 2 and 3 Practical Session - working alongside mentor and allocated staff Problem solving task 4 Achieved Partly Achieved Not Achieved Practical Session - working alongside mentor and allocated staff Mock interview 5 Achieved Partly Achieved Not Achieved Practical Session - working alongside mentor and allocated staff Evaluation Overall Result: Achieved Partly Achieved Not Achieved Work Place Supervisor Comments: Signature... DEVON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP 13

15 quality standard for information For further details please contact: Devon Education Business Partnership 4th Floor Queens House, Little Queen Street, Exeter EX4 3LJ Tel: Fax: Devon Education Business Partnership actively safeguards and promotes the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All employees and volunteers are required to share this commitment. advice and guidance services approved by the matrix Accreditation Body Devon Education Business Partnership is managed by Careers South West Ltd. EGEnv11.12 Careers South West Ltd 2012