GATSBY BENCHMARK 6
Experiences of workplaces
WHAT GOOD LOOKS LIKE
Every student should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience so they can explore their career opportunities.
- By the age of 16, every student should have had at least one experience of a workplace, additional to any part-time jobs they may have.
- By the age of 18, every student should have had one further such experience, additional to any part-time jobs they may have.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Fewer students are experiencing the world of work through part-time jobs – only 18% of 16 to 17-year-olds, down from 42% in 1996.
- Students learn employability skills, such as treating customers well and business awareness, much more effectively in real work situations. Over 95% of schools and colleges identify employability skills and increased self-confidence as key benefits of experiences of work.
- Students can gain important insights into their career interests and values, which will help them with their future decision making.
- Career management skills, such as organising, negotiating, networking and self-presentation can be practised.
- Students can develop and apply skills they are learning at school.• Experiences of work are part of the talent pipeline for businesses looking to recruit school leavers and apprentices.
- Experiences of work give young people a competitive advantage – about 80% of employers think work experience is essential and two-thirds of employers would be more likely to hire a young person with work experience over someone with none.
TOP TIPS FOR EMPLOYERS
- Schools must decide whether adults working with pre-16 work experience students need to be vetted by the Disclosure Barring Service.
- Set open-ended and real-life projects to inspire students and develop their enterprise and problem-solving capabilities.
- Formulate a policy for your organisation around the links you want to have with schools and colleges. It should explain the business and philanthropic case for having links, such as social responsibility and brining on the next generation, and enable you to prioritise your use of resources.
- See your organisation’s links with schools and colleges as a training and development opportunity for your staff, especially for newly-appointed staff who can learn valuable skills while supervising students.
- Participate in local collaborative networks such as the local enterprise partnership, local chamber of commerce, Rotary or similar grouping to co-ordinate and plan links with schools and colleges.
- Explore different work experience models and get accredited with the Fair Train work experience quality standard for employers.