WORK EXPERIENCE HANDBOOK YEAR nd-6th May

Transcription

1 WORK EXPERIENCE HANDBOOK YEAR nd-6th May

2 Dear Parent, All Year nine students have been issued with a Work Experience Handbook for 2016 Year 10 students. This handbook has been designed to assist students and parents in understanding the reasons for undertaking Work Experience as well as guiding them through the procedure of finding and making an arrangement with a suitable employer. Contacting the workplace and making an arrangement is part of the learning process so we ask that parents encourage students to organise their own placement. We also urge students to begin the process in the last term of year nine as competition for placements can be quite fierce. Each year we also encourage parents to come forward if they are able to assist the program by providing placements for students or even employer contacts. Legislative changes pertaining to Work Experience, first introduced in November 2003, are reviewed and updated annually. All students undertaking Work Experience will be required to satisfactorily complete basic Occupational Health and Safety awareness training before being issued with the yellow Work Experience Arrangement Form. If you have any concerns or questions about the Work Experience program or work experience in general, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school. John Horley Careers Development Coordinator WEXPBOOK/LBh 2

3 WORK EXPERIENCE has a very successful Work Experience program that has seen many students go voluntarily into workplaces to observe and learn some job skills in a field of interest. Work Experience is also valuable in raising students' awareness of how the workforce operates and the training and personal qualities required for particular jobs. Work Experience can lead to offers of employment or an apprenticeship. Interested students over the age of 15 are permitted to do work experience during school holidays during the school year. No student is permitted to do work experience on weekends or during the Christmas break. In addition to this, students whose exams and/or classes finish early in term four are encouraged to seek work experience in the time leading up to the end of term 4. The school also runs a one-week block of compulsory work experience for all year 10 students. This means that no Year 10 classes will operate during the week while students are on work experience. Work Experience Dates for 2016 are 2 nd -6th May. Students who participate in a VET course such as VET Engineering during year 10 are encouraged to use the work experience block to complete their compulsory VET Work Placement requirement. Teachers are very supportive of the program and most students are visited by a teacher at the workplace. Students will have a Work Experience Journal to complete, so it is important to use the time to learn as much as possible about the workplace and to develop positive relationships with employers and other workers. Year 9 students are encouraged to begin organising work experience for year 10 in term 4. Some workplaces are very popular and need to be applied for in the previous year if you are to have a chance of getting in eg. Hairdressing, Vets, Nursing, trades in general. Ultimately it is your responsibility to organise your own work experience or risk being placed in whatever is left. Once an employer has agreed to take a student, the yellow WORK EXPERIENCE ARRANGEMENT FORM must be completed. It is a legal document to be signed by all parties involved: the student, parent or guardian, Principal and the employer. This is vital as it provides cover (by the Education Department) in case the student is involved in an accident. Work experience cannot proceed unless all sections of this form are completed, the original document has been returned to the Careers Office and students have completed the two compulsory O H & S modules. A number of changes have been made to the requirements for work experience. These have been brought about by issues relating to work safety and privacy. WEXPBOOK/LBh 3

4 Students are now required to participate in Occupational Health and Safety training before they can be eligible to undertake Work Experience. This training is conducted at the College during year 9 Work Studies. In addition to participating in these class activities, students are also required to complete two on-line modules. All students must complete the General Module and then complete the module which relates to the specific industry area in which they will be working. 1. Automotive 2. Building and Construction 3. Health and Community Services 4. Electrical and Electronics 5. Hairdressing 6. Hospitality and Tourism 7. Manufacturing 8. Metals and Engineering 9. Office and Business Services 10. Painting 11. Plumbing 12. Primary Industry 13. Retail 14. Veterinary These requirements have been imposed to ensure that students are conversant with the safety requirements in industry. To provide further protection, if a student will be under 15 years of age at the time of Work Experience, the prospective employer will be requested to allow a police check to be conducted against the person or persons who will be directly involved with the supervision of the student in the workplace. Only in exceptional circumstances will we support a student under 15 years of age participating in Work Experience. WEXPBOOK/LBh 4

5 CONTENTS Why do Work Experience?...6 Legal Requirements... 6 Declared Risk Industries Prohibited Tasks Work Experience Arrangement Form Timing Payment Work Cover/Public Liability Absence from Work Choosing Your Work Experience...8 Finding an Employer...8 Making Contact... 9 Completing the Work Experience Arrangement Form...10 One Week Before Work experience checklist...11 Sample telephone call to employer...12 Sample letter to employer requesting work experience...13 Sample Letter of thanks to employer...14 Places with Special Deadlines or Requirements...15 Final Checklist.16 WEXPBOOK/LBh 5

6 Why Do Work Experience? To improve your understanding of the work environment particularly work place behavior and the range of jobs that people do. To learn which skills and competencies are required in the work place. To become more aware of the demands of specific occupations. To explore possible career options and to assess your suitability to pursue a particular career path. To develop organisational and planning skills in arranging own work experience. To gain confidence and skills in approaching employers by telephone, , personal visit or letter. To improve communication and interpersonal skills by working with people whom you do not know and adapting to a new environment. To improve written skills in terms of resume, application and thank you letter writing. To receive an evaluation, which can be used as a reference for employment. To gain experience, which may be directly relevant to the course or occupation you wish to pursue. Legal Requirements Declared Risk Industries No student under 15 years of age will be permitted to undertake work experience in a Declared Risk Industry. The following industries and trades are declared to be classes of employment where there is a higher than usual possibility of a pupil, who is a child, being exposed to the risk of physical injury - (1) Agriculture (Primary Industries) & Horticulture (2) Automotive retail, repair & service (3) Aviation (4) Building & Construction (Commercial & Domestic/Residential) (5) Childcare (6) Electro technology (electrical, refrigeration and air-conditioning, electronics, computer systems, instrumentation and data communication) (7) Fishing, Diving, Seafood, Aquaculture and Maritime (including charter and commercial shipping) (8) Food Technology (Manufacturing) (9) Forestry and logging industries (10) Hairdressing and Beauty (11) Health, Medical & Community services (12) Hospitality - café, restaurants, fast food & accommodation (13) Manufacturing (inc. aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, chemical, electrical, pottery, environmental, plastic extruding and injection moulding, materials, mechanical, manufacturing or mechatronics) (14) Retail (15) Security services WEXPBOOK/LBh 6

7 (16) Sport & Recreation (17) Transport & Distribution (including Warehousing) (18) Veterinary, Parks & Wildlife Prohibited Tasks Current Department of Education policy prohibits students undertaking tasks that include the use of machines such as a rip saw, band saw, buzzer, thicknesser, guillotine, spindle moulder, docking saw or power wood shapers at school. The Occupational Health and Safety (Lead Control) Regulations 1998 prohibit the presence of a person below the age of 16 in a lead processing area.) Further to this no student under the age of 18 may be involved in the selling, serving or disposing of liquor. Occupational Health and Safety Recent events in workplaces have lead to concerns regarding the knowledge of employees and employers regarding Occupational Health and Safety and general workplace safety. With this in mind, the Department of Education Victoria has deemed that is now essential that all students wishing to participate in work experience must satisfactorily complete units of Occupational Health and Safety theory prior to undertaking a work experience placement. These units of study will be delivered in Year 9 as part of the Work Studies program. Students who do not complete the modules will need to contact the Careers Development Coordinator at least six weeks prior to a possible work experience placement in order to complete the Occupational Health and Safety units and to ensure that all the paperwork can be satisfactorily completed in plenty of time. Work Experience Arrangement Form All Work Experience arrangements must be formalised within the constraints of The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 Ministerial Order 382 and the subsequent Child Employment Act This requires 4 signatures - the Student, Parent, Employer and School on a Work Experience Agreement Form. Timing Work experience must be done during the School Year ie. from the first day of school to the last December school day. This means Term 1, Term 2, Term 3 holidays are allowable times, but the summer holiday is not permissible. Students making work experience arrangements in summer are not covered for worker's compensation under the Act. Similarly students are not covered for Work Experience on weekends. Year 11 and 12 students are encouraged to seek work experience in term 4 after termination of classes/exams. Students can work during the normal working day, or a standard shift allocation without overtime, but they may not participate in Work Experience during the hours between 11pm and 6am. Payment The Act requires a minimum payment of $5.00 per day. Employers are not obliged to pay more than this. Some non-profit organisations are exempt as are Government organisations. WEXPBOOK/LBh 7

8 Work Cover/Public Liability Students doing Work Experience are covered by Work Cover through the completion of the Work Experience Arrangement Form. It is not essential for an employer to have Work Cover. Students are also covered with public liability cover of 10 million dollars. This is also the school s responsibility. Employers do not need any special cover to take on Work Experience students. Work Cover will only be extended if the Occupational Health and Safety units have been satisfactorily completed Work Experience Arrangement Form (and the Risk Assessment if required) have been correctly completed and signed and the originals have been lodged with the College prior to the commencement of the Work Experience ***Please note students are not covered by insurance or Work Cover on weekends or between the hours of 11pm and 6am Absence from Work If absent for any reason, YOU MUST notify both your employer and the School as soon as possible. Any problems whilst on Work Experience should be referred to the Careers Development Coordinator. CHOOSING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE What are your Interests? The first thing to do is to find out what you would LIKE TO DO. It should be a combination of interest, fun and a challenge, which guides your decision. This will help you identify the INDUSTRY AREA (eg. transport, building, health, entertainment) or the JOB TYPE (solicitor, architect, physiotherapist) you are keen on. Talk to your friends, teachers, family and sports coaches. Let them know you are looking for work experience. These people are often a great source of information about organisations willing to take on work experience students. Spend some time using the resources in the Careers Room. Look through the Job Guide, Bullseye Book and for those who may be struggling for ideas, try the Yellow Pages or do an Internet search. If you are struggling to find a placement see Mr Horley in the Careers Office for assistance. Make a list of the jobs you wish to explore. Use the table on your How to Arrange Your Work Experience form at the back of this booklet. FINDING AN EMPLOYER This is the tricky bit. It takes contacts, perseverance, good imagination and a bit - or a lot - of luck. If you know someone... manners, you are lucky. Identify some potential employers who can offer you work in the areas in which you are interested. WEXPBOOK/LBh 8

9 If you are unable to get a placement in the career you are interested in, consider a related occupation. Set up the placement as soon as possible - it is very competitive to find work experience, particularly in popular areas. Do not despair - you may not find a placement in the first few weeks. If you are genuinely having difficulties Mr Horley can help. Remember the golden rule is: "The harder you try, the harder we try." Resources to help you find a placement: Telephone Directories. Use the Yellow Pages - it is easier because it is listed in occupational and Interest areas, as well as locality. You may also try the Local Telephone Directory and do an Internet search. Personal networks through family, friends and relatives. Advertising in newspapers of positions similar to those in which you are interested may help you identify a potential employer. Don t restrict yourself to the local area. What other places can you get to? You may be able to get a lift with a family member or you may investigate suburbs along the train and bus routes. Register of Work Experience Placements used by students in previous years. The Careers Room has a list of employers we have used in the past. This is a last resort and is only available if all other options have failed. MAKING CONTACT Either ring, write or to employers asking for a placement. Keep a record of your contacts Keep contacting employers until you receive a YES from one of them- Use the How to Arrange Your Work Experience form at the back of this booklet as a checklist for gathering the relevant information from your placement provider. Applying by telephone This is the best place to start. There is no point sending a letter if they don't take on Work Experience students! See the Sample Telephone Call to Employer on page 13. Be polite, sound keen and interested. Ask to speak to someone who can advise you about student work experience and make a note of their name. If the person is not available and you leave your number or if you are asked to ring back - make a note and follow it up. If they cannot help you, thank them and ask if they can suggest someone who may be able to offer you a place. If you are asked to send more details - do so. WEXPBOOK/LBh 9

10 Applying by letter or Make a record of the employers you have written to - it will be important if you have to follow-up with a phone call. Send as many letters or s as you can - this will ensure a better chance of a positive reply. If you receive more than one offer - let the others know as soon as you have made a decision There is a sample letter at the back of the booklet to help you write your own letter. COMPLETING THE WORK EXPERIENCE AGREEMENT FORM 1. When an employer agrees to give you a placement, complete the white Work Experience Planning Sheet in this booklet. You will need to take this to the Careers Office with your completed OH@S modules certificates attached. They will then make up and give you.. 2. Yellow Work Experience Arrangement Form. This is a legal document, which must be completed in full. NO FORM NO WORK EXPERIENCE 3. Each section must be completed by: -you -your parent or guardian -Employer 4. Your completed form must be returned to the Careers Office 5. The Principal must be the last to sign. The Careers Office will arrange this. 6. You will be issued with two copies of your completed arrangement form. You must: 1. Send one copy to the employer with a brief letter of thanks (see sample at end of the Booklet) 2. Keep one copy for you and your parents records. Your Work Experience placement is only official when ALL PAPERWORK has been signed, approved and returned to the Careers Officer by the due date and both OH &S modules are completed. This is important, as we must ensure you are being sent to a safe workplace. ONE WEEK BEFORE... As a matter of courtesy you should make contact with your employer at least a week before you are due to begin, to confirm your placement and to check on your starting time, appropriate dress, lunch arrangements and any special requirements in preparation of your work experience. This will help to avoid any possible last minute problems. WEXPBOOK/LBh 10

11 WORK EXPERIENCE CHECKLIST Work Experience Dates: Monday May 2nd to Friday May 6th 2016 Your arrangements should be finalised by the 2nd week of April 2016 but remember this will be much too late for many popular workplaces. Watch the Daily Bulletin and Newsletter for notices of workplaces with special deadlines and application requirements. Have I Made a list of the jobs I want to explore and consulted the resources in the Careers Office? (As soon as possible) Contacted employers and received a Yes reply? (As soon as possible) Completed the Work Experience Arrangement Planning Sheet (this one does not need an employer signature)and returned it to the Careers Office? (As soon as possible) Completed the Occupational Health and Safety Training and printed the Certificates and attached them to my planning sheet? Collected and completed the Work Experience Arrangement Form from the Careers Office and sent it to the Employer for signing? (As soon as possible) Returned the completed Work Experience Arrangement Form to the Careers Office for principal s signature. (As soon as possible) Collected the parent and employer copies of the forms after signing by the Principal for your records and to send to the employer? (As soon as possible) Made appropriate travel arrangements to and from work? Contacted your employer to confirm your placement a week before you start? WEXPBOOK/LBh 11

12 SAMPLE TELEPHONE CALL TO EMPLOYER REQUESTING WORK EXPERIENCE You will need the following information and equipment: 1. an A4 sheet of paper to write on and a pen 2. a list of your prospective employers (tick them off as you go) 3. your work experience coordinator s name MR JOHN HORLEY 4. dates of your work experience block Monday May 2nd to Friday 6th May 5. the school address and phone number PO BOX 57, Gisborne 3437 When you ring. Tel: Good morning I d like to make a work experience enquiry please At this point you will probably be transferred to another person. If you are you will need to repeat your opening remarks. 2. Once you are on to the correct person they will either: tell you they have no placements ask you for more information. eg dates, age, type of work you want... ask you to put your request in writing ask you to get Mr Horley to ring. ANSWER CLEARLY, SLOWLY AND POLITELY. YOU MAY NEED TO SPELL SOME WORDS. 3. Take down important information - street and postal address of the company name of the person you are speaking to ask for names to be spelled out if not sure of correct spelling 4. At the end of the conversation, no matter what the outcome: Thank you very much for your time. Remember the person knows your name and your school. We want to leave them with a good impression of you and us! 5. Once an employer agrees to give you a placement you must fill out with all details on the Work Experience Planning Sheet and take this to the Careers Office with your completed OH@S modules attached. They will then make up the Yellow Work Experience Arrangement Form for you. WEXPBOOK/LBh 12

13 SAMPLE LETTER TO EMPLOYER REQUESTING WORK EXPERIENCE Your name Address Suburb State Postcode Telephone Number Date Name (if known) Title of Person or Work Experience Co-ordinator Company Name Business Address Dear I am writing to ask if you could offer me a Work Experience Placement during Term 2, in The dates are Monday May 2nd until Friday May 6 th. I am a student at and Work Experience is compulsory for all year 10 students at our school. I am interested in finding out more about (what ever you are interested in) and would like the opportunity of working with your company. I am currently studying (list relevant subjects) and participate in (list extracurricular activities). I particularly enjoy (list relevant interests) and have had experience in (list any relevant experience). I hope that you will give consideration to my application for a work experience placement and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours faithfully Sign your name Your name (typed) WEXPBOOK/LBh 13

14 SAMPLE LETTER OF THANKS TO EMPLOYER This can be sent with their copy of the Work Experience Arrangement Form. Your name Address Suburb State Postcode Telephone Number Date Name (if known) Title of Person or Work Experience Co-ordinator Company Name Business Address Dear Thank you for providing me with a Work Experience Placement between Monday May 2nd and Friday May 6th I am sending you a copy of my work experience arrangement form for your records. I appreciate the opportunity of working with your company and I am looking forward to the placement. I will make contact one week before the placement to finalise arrangements. Again, many thanks. Yours faithfully (Sign your name) Your name (typed) WEXPBOOK/LBh 14

15 WORK EXPERIENCE PLACES WITH SPECIAL DEADLINES OR REQUIREMENTS 1. many of these places only take one student. 2. we are not guaranteed a place 3. their time may not fit in with our block 4. apply in term four of the year previous to Work Experience block 5. special application is required 6. you may need to write something about why you want to do your experience here. The Royal Melbourne Zoo Victoria Police (No places are available for 2015) Newspapers Leader/Sun/Age Teaching Primary/Secondary/Kindergarten Defence Forces Army/Navy/Airforce Airport and Airlines Myers, David Jones, Sportsgirl Places that get filled VERY EARLY! All of the above and Vets Hospitals Solicitors Courts Trades (electricians, plumbers, landscapers, builders, mechanics) Hairdressers Childcare Doctors surgeries Hotels Tourism/Hospitality Restaurants Radio/TV/Recording studios Museums and Galleries Anything LOCAL! These are just SOME. Check details for others you may be thinking of. WEXPBOOK/LBh 15

16 YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE FINAL CHECKLIST Checklist 1 My planning sheet is signed and I have completed the OH@S modules and attached the certificates to my planning sheet. Tick when completed a) I have given these documents to the Careers Office 2 All my arrangement forms have been signed. a) The Careers Office has the Original b) My Employer has a Copy c) My Parents and I have a Copy 3 I have contacted my Employer in the week before attending 4 I have confirmed a) Start times b) Finish times c) Dress code d) Address and where to report on the first day e) Who to ask for on the first day 5 I have checked my transport to and from work 6 I have advised the employer of any special arrangements which need to be made for attendance because of: a) special appointments b) my regular casual job c) sporting commitments 7 I have my Work Experience Journal to take to work with me PLEASE NOTE: If you are unable to attend work on any day 1. Ring and advise the employer 2. Ring and advise the school. (Leave a message for Mr Horley so that he can let any visiting teachers know you will not be in.) The College telephone number is WEXPBOOK/LBh 16

17 I wish you all the best of luck and hope you make the most of this opportunity. Please remember that if you have any problems which you would like to discuss while you are at the workplace, you can ring me at school. If I am out on visits leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. MR HORLEY. CAREERS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR TELEPHONE: WEXPBOOK/LBh 17