INSPIRE YOUR FUTURE WORKFORCE. WORK PLACEMENTS A Guide for Employers

Transcription

1 INSPIRE YOUR FUTURE WORKFORCE WORK PLACEMENTS A Guide for Employers

2 Introduction As a provider of high quality education, Vision West Nottinghamshire College aims to provide work placements as an integral part of study programmes for students aged It seeks to meet the needs of individuals, businesses and communities. The college s vision is A dynamic college for aspiring communities, and the college values are professionalism, respect and responsibility. Working in partnership with our local employers, we aim to develop these skills. The Department for Education and Skills defines work placement as a placement on an employer s premises in which a student carries out a particular task or duty, or a range of tasks or duties, more or less as would an employee, but with the emphasis on the learning aspects of the experience. Vision West Nottinghamshire College is dedicated to maintaining a quality standard for work placements, to ensure that students are given the opportunity to prepare for their future careers. Work placements expose young people to the skills and attitudes required in the world of work, enabling them to become aware of the demands and giving them a competitive advantage when they seek employment. The experience that they will gain will complement the programme which they are studying. The work placement should involve defined tasks and responsibilities and should not simply be a work-shadowing experience. The benefits to students from participating in work placements: Provides a practical understanding of the world of work. Gives a valuable insight into the expectations of employers. Supports improvements with interpersonal and team work skills. Develops confidence. Allows opportunities for students to showcase their skills and abilities to employers. Gives an insight into the demands and pressures of the world of work. The benefits to employers: Development of recruitment channels. Promotion of vocational qualifications. Raising the community profile. Creation of management development opportunities. Developing a higher calibre of job applicants. Types of work placement: We realise that you are providing our students with the gift of time and effort. Because of this, we offer flexible work placements to accommodate your business needs. Extended a weekly placement on specified day(s) or hour(s). Block a traditional approach over one or two weeks. During college holiday periods. The college s obligation to you: Students will be well prepared and able to make a useful contribution. Regular monitoring of placements will be undertaken to assess the student s progress and support the employer. The college will provide a response to any suggestions you may make which are aimed at enhancing the benefits of the placements. The college will ensure that appropriate checks are made in accordance with vetting and barring guidance.

3 Health and Safety Risk Assessments A representative from the college will be coming to you to conduct a health and safety risk assessment. Health and Safety on Work Placement The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have produced guidance on the selection of placements, the training of placement organisers and the preparation and de-briefing of students. The main points raised in this document are: The college must have a clear and defined policy regarding work placement, with guidelines and instructions for those organising and co-ordinating placements. The college needs to ensure that all of the placements used meet the appropriate health and safety standards, and that they have laid down procedures for dealing with students. All new placements require a preliminary visit in which a number of verbal and visual checks need to be made and the suitability of the establishment assessed. There should be a formal agreement between the college and the placement about the work placement scheme. Once the initial visit to a placement has been made, periodic checks are required to ensure that standards are being maintained. All students should be visited whilst undertaking their work placement. The college should ensure that feedback about work placement is sought from all students, college staff and employees, and that action is taken on this feedback. College staff need to be trained to undertake the role of visiting placements. The college should provide a contact name and number for use by all of those involved in the work placement. These procedures are designed to enable the college to meet the health and safety requirements, and to ensure that our students are provided with the highest quality work placement possible. Contact Details If you have a general concern or problem during the placement, please contact the appropriate person from the list below: Advice and Progression Manager Maxine Buttery Ext Work Placement Officer Lynne Willoughby Ext Work Placement Support Officer Joshua Smith Ext Work Placement Support Officer Clare Dobb Ext If your problem requires immediate attention, please contact the college s main switchboard on

4 Safeguarding Students in Work Placements The college works very hard to safeguard its students whilst they are at college, and we have legal duties to ensure that students are protected from any kind of abuse, and are prevented from being drawn into extremist organisations and groups. These duties extend beyond the college campus into their work placement. Please help us by reporting any concerns you may have about a student as soon as such concerns arise. Things that you need to be aware of: Students telling a member of your staff that they are being hurt or abused in any way. Students coming to work with unexplained bruises or marks. Students regularly coming to work looking unkempt or hungry. Students talking about being bullied in person or online, through social media or text messaging. Students being absent from their work placement without letting you know where they are. Students talking about friends that they may have met online and which seem concerning. Sometimes students may disclose something to you or one of your employees that they may not want to tell a tutor for fear that it may affect their place on a course. If you have any concerns at all about a student, please don t assume that the college already knows. Report your concerns as soon as you have them to the college by phoning either the tutor contact or the work placement team on ext. 8634, or by ing the work placement team at workplacement@wnc.ac.uk. You should not agree to keep these matters confidential. If contact is required outside of the normal working hours please call The college s safeguarding team will then investigate your concerns and take the appropriate action. Attendance Monitoring If a student does not arrive for their work placement, please contact the college within 30 minutes either by calling ext or ing the work placement team at workplacement@wnc.ac.uk.

5 Providing a Quality Placement Objectives Clear objectives need to be established to achieve a positive outcome. Possible objectives might include any of the following: To undertake a range of tasks as an employee would. To develop and show good understanding of the purpose of the post and how it relates to the work of the company. To help prepare for working life by learning to meet the appropriate standards of company behaviour, for example: time keeping, dress sense and conduct. To appreciate the importance of good health, safety and welfare policy and practice. Planning Before the work placement student arrives, you will need to establish and be clear on the following: Allocate a work placement mentor. The dates and duration of the work placement. The location and hours of the work placement. The duties and responsibilities of the post. Dress code and conduct. Your position regarding Employers Liability and Public Liability policies. Any new risk assessments and control measures specific to the student. Confirmation of any mid-placement visit by the student s tutor or college representative. What to discuss when a work placement student arrives An introduction to the work placement mentor. A full placement induction, to include health and safety and facilities (including toilets and refreshments). Confirmation of break, lunch and finishing times. An overview of tasks and requirements. Establish a time at the end of each day for feedback. Make clear the process for reporting absence.

6 End of Placement Reviewing the results of the work placement with the student, and identifying strengths and areas for improvement. An exit review. It would be appreciated if you would give each student a standard reference letter to confirm their time with you. Your letter will help the student reflect and work on areas for development, and will support progress and destination into industry. EMPLOYER S ASSESSMENT FORM Please provide an assessment of the student s performance during the work placement. To be completed by the employer. Student name: Work placement with: Nature of work: Length of placement: Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor Timekeeping Personal appearance Ability to work in a team Relationships with others Regard for health and safety Ability to follow instructions Communication skills Enthusiasm Initiative Commitment Attendance Other comments Would you be happy to provide a reference for this student? YES NO Would you be happy to provide a work placement for another student? YES NO Signed: Position: Date: