Aims of Work Experience

This might be the first time you have been in a place of work so enjoy it! It is your chance to learn many new skills
and become more confident. It will be your first step on the career ladder.
The Aims of Work Experience are to:
• Provide an opportunity to explore the ‘world of work’;
• Understand the structure of working organisations;
• Experience interactions with co-workers.
• Discover expectations that employees (workers) will have of fellow workers and managers will have of
workers;
• Gain self-confidence by encountering and dealing with new situations and people;
• Develop skills and knowledge for adult life;
• Experience disciplines of the workplace e.g. regarding safety, time-keeping etc.
Remember, it does not really matter what kind of work you do for work experience. It is not intended as a training
course, but as a taster to see if you really would like a particular kind of work. A week or fortnight in almost any
sort of working environment can fulfil the aims mentioned above.

Why Keep a Logbook?

This logbook is designed to help you prepare for and support you through your work experience, so look after it and
keep it safe. It will help you to:
• Record your experiences whilst on your work experience, so that you can reflect afterwards on what you have
achieved;
• Focus on the skills you already have and develop them further, and think about what new skills you have
gained during your placement.
It is your responsibility to complete the logbook and return it. If you are at a loose end on your lunch break, it may
be a good time to complete it to help pass the time! Do not forget to ask your supervisor to complete the
Employer’s Statement (Page 18) before you leave. Look after the logbook and keep it safe, as it will provide
evidence of what you have achieved, which could help you when you take your next step in learning or work. You
could also use the information you record to help build your CV.
If your work experience is split between employers, you will need one logbook for each placement.

Points to Remember
You will get more out of your work experience if you get involved, so do not be afraid to ask questions if you are
not sure about anything. Remember that the experience should be an enjoyable one!

 Your employer will NOT give you any special treatment. You will work the same hours and under the same
conditions as regular employees.
 Be punctual - better 10 minutes early than 1 minute late.
 Wear appropriate clothing.
 Show enthusiasm and interest in what is going on.
 Do not be afraid to talk to the people you are working with.
 Be prepared to do something new and be willing to learn.
 Show initiative - ask for things to do.
 You are expected to be independent, so try to solve your own problems.
 If you get into difficulties, do not walk out; telephone the Work Experience Administrator at school.
 If you are ill, contact the employer within 30 minutes of your start time. Tell them when you are likely to
return, then contact school to notify the Work Experience Administrator of your absence.
 When you finish at your placement, remember to thank the person concerned and ask for a reference.
We hope you find your placement interesting, worthwhile and enjoyable. However, if you have any serious
problems do not hesitate to contact the Work Experience Administrator at school on 01473 210123 ext. 217.
Information about my placement
Employer Name:

Address:

Tel No:

On the first morning of my work

experience I must report to:

At (Place): at am/pm

Date of Work Experience: From: To:

I will start work at: I will finish work at:

The days I will be working are:

My Supervisor during work experience will be:

Arrangements for lunch are:

I must wear:

These are my special requirements:

Northgate High School Contacts: Switchboard- 01473 210123

Mrs Baxter – Work Experience Administrator ext. 217 between 8.30am-4.30pm.
Mrs Gray – Head of Careers.
Miss Mackie – Safeguarding Lead.

If I am ill, late or attending an appointment, I must contact ______________________________, at my

place of work, within 30 minutes of my start time. I will tell them when I am likely to return, and will then
contact the Work Experience Administrator to notify them of my absence - 01473 210123 ext. 217.

If your work experience is split between employers, you will need one logbook for each placement.

Page |3
Pupil Agreement
Before my placement, I will:
• Read the job details that have been sent to my school email address;
• Contact my employer to confirm my placement details;
• Read the work experience and health and safety guides I have been given.

During my placement, I will:

• Maintain the highest standards of punctuality, attendance, good manners, behaviour and reliability;
• Dress appropriately for work, according to the guidance provided;
• Listen carefully and take note of all instructions given;
• If I do not understand what I have been asked to do, I will ASK the person to go over it again until I am
sure;
• Show enthusiasm and interest in what is going on;
• Listen carefully to the induction and safety briefing;
• Be compliant with all safety, security, rules and other regulations set by the employer;
• Take note of and adhere to the health, safety and welfare of others and myself;
• Respect any confidential information about the employer's business;
• Meet with my Supervisor at the end of each day to discuss my progress;
• Complete my logbook each day;
• Ensure my employer completes the relevant sections in my logbook;
• Participate as much as I can and enjoy it!

After my placement, I will:

• Hand my logbook in to my form tutor;
• Discuss in my careers lessons what I learned and how the placement matched my expectations;
• Feed back my views on the placement;
• Make a personal action plan to help me work towards my goals after my placement.

Pupil Signature: Date:

Parent/Carer Agreement
• I agree to my child taking up this work experience placement and undertaking the main duties and tasks
detailed in the job description that has been provided;
• I have discussed suitable arrangements for lunch and break periods with my child;
• I am aware that if my child leaves the placement premises during lunch or break periods, no liability can
be accepted by the employer or the school for any incident that may occur;
• I have read the information provided in the work experience guide and I will reinforce its contents with my
child;
• I will encourage my child to complete and return the work experience logbook;
• I am aware that some or all of the information contained in this booklet may be stored either manually or
electronically in accordance with the Data Protection Act for the purposes of the work experience
programme.

Parent/Carer Signature: Date:

Employer
 Please complete induction and health and safety briefing (Page 8)
 Please complete employer statement (Page 18)
Pre-Work Experience Personal Objectives
In order to get the maximum benefit from your placement you must think about what you want to gain during your
time there. Use the space below to write down your thoughts prior to starting work experience. You might like to
consider how it will be different from school, what you are most looking forward to, what you are most anxious about,
what key skills you are hoping to develop and most importantly, what you hope to gain.

KEY SKILLS YOU ARE HOPING TO DEVELOP

Communication Skills Tick Personal and Social Skills Tick
Listening to / following instructions Teamwork
Talking to supervisors / others at work Co-operating with others
Communication and literacy Accepting advice / criticism
Speaking on the telephone / face to face Enthusiasm and initiative
Writing messages / letters Responsibility for others / resources
Dealing with the public Integrity (honesty)
Producing a CV Personal presentation
Interviewing Skills Number Skills
Being interviewed before / during the
Dealing with figures, money etc.
placement
Researching the work of the organisation
Organisational Skills Customer Care Skills
Presenting yourself well to the public / positive
Planning your work / prioritising tasks
attitude
Time management and organisation Providing a service, dealing with the public
Understanding how the organisation works and
Problem solving and creativity
presenting it positively
Negotiation and decision making
Information Technology Skills Personal Attributes
Keyboard skills / IT Punctuality / timekeeping
Inputting data Confidence
Use of fax / e-mail / Internet Positive attitude
Use of till / bar coding Suitability for this type of work

Once you have completed your work experience, it will be interesting to look back at this page and compare
your feelings before and after your placement.

Page |5
Understanding Hazards, Risks and Controls at Work
All workplaces have some hazards and your work experience placement will give you an ideal opportunity to see why
health, safety and hygiene rules are important in every workplace.

Hazard – A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm, illness or damage to property or health (physically or
mentally). Examples includes a spilt drink (slipping hazard), a loose wire (tripping hazard), dust (breathing hazard) or
stress or bullying at work (mental health hazard).
The employer has a responsibility to control hazards so that you and the other employees are safe but you also have
responsibilities, which are to:
 Act responsibly and not do anything to endanger others  Be tidy in your work
 Report anything you feel is dangerous such as spillages  Follow the health and safety rules and signs
Accidents and ill health can be avoided by identifying the hazard and reducing the risk.

Risk - risk is the chance and impact of getting hurt by the hazard. Is it likely or not very likely, and the impact, i.e. how
bad the injury/ill health would be (for example would it kill you, break a bone, cause a small bruise or make you sick or
unhappy). The extent of the risk will depend on:

 The likelihood of harm occurring  The potential severity of the harm

 The number of people who might be affected

Control - Control means reducing, removing, limiting, or eliminating hazards. You can do this by wearing protective
clothing if needed; checking equipment is in good order; training to do the task properly; not doing a task when you
know it could be unsafe. You should also think how your actions could affect others, for example, how an untidy
workplace could cause an accident.
Think about crossing the road. A busy road is a hazard. If you cross the road there is a high risk of injury from being hit
by traffic, and the consequences are serious. You can take control measures to reduce the risk of injury, including using
a pedestrian crossing, using the Green Cross Code or choosing another route.

Identifying Potential Hazards in my Workplace

Hazard: Identify hazards that you might find on your work placement

Risk: What could be the impact of this hazard on you?

Control: Could you do anything about this type of hazard?

Safety Signs
You will see signs in the workplace that will help to keep everyone safe. They may not look the same in all
workplaces, but they will follow the same general rules of shapes and colours, which mean they do not need
to use many words.

Prohibition signs are red on a white background and prohibits (bans) behaviour likely to increase
or cause danger (e.g. ‘no smoking’).

Warning signs warn of dangers or hazards and have a black triangle with a yellow background and a
symbol representing the hazard (e.g. ‘danger: electricity’).

Mandatory signs mean you must obey or do something and have a blue background and
a white symbol (e.g. ‘head protection must be worn’).

Emergency escape or first-aid signs have a green background and give information on
emergency exits, first aid, or rescue facilities for example.

You will have a health and safety briefing at the beginning of your first day (see page 8). In most
workplaces, the chances of being seriously hurt are pretty low, however there are risks at work and even if all
the rules are carefully followed, accidents sometimes happen that can hurt you, or someone else. If you have
an accident, you should tell your Supervisor. You should also record it below and let the Work Experience
Administrator know about it when you return to school.
Accident Record
Date and time of accident

Where did it happen? i.e. room or place

What happened?

If you were injured, where and what was the nature of the injury?

What First Aid did you receive? Do you need a follow up?

What other action did the company take?

Was it recorded in the accident book?

Signed Pupil Date

Signed Supervisor Date

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Induction Checklist
Please complete this with your Supervisor on the FIRST DAY of work experience

For many of you, this is the first experience you will have in the work place. On your first day, it is the employer’s
responsibility to train you how to do your job in a safe way. It is your responsibility to follow these instructions.
This means you should follow the instructions exactly and ask questions if you are unsure.

Induction Yes No N/A

I have been given an overview of the company products, the industry, and
the work carried out at this particular site.
I have been told about the week’s itinerary, which departments I will be
working in, and the type of work I shall be observing and learning about.
I have received a tour of my work area and welfare facilities and I am
aware of the break times that I can take.
I have been introduced to the key workers i.e. my Supervisor and who to
speak to if there is a problem i.e. safeguarding.
I understand the start and finish times of my working day.
I have been informed of the safe working practices, security, rules and
regulations relevant to my placement.
I have had the emergency procedure explained to me and been shown
where the assembly points/emergency exits are and how to operate them.
I have been given details on the First Aid facilities and First Aiders.
I have been told about the accident reporting procedure.
I have been briefed on potential hazards/safety issues, if any, that I could
be exposed to during the work experience programme.
I have received the appropriate training on any machinery I will be
operating.
I have had the importance of safety equipment explained to me, such as
personal protective equipment, where it is kept, which areas it must be
used in and why.
I have been given details on appropriate lifting, handling, working at height
or below ground level.
I have been told which areas/machinery are restricted to me.
I have been reminded to take reasonable care of the health, safety and
welfare of others and myself.
Anything else:

 If I am asked to do something for which I have not received proper training, I will politely ask for training or
request another task.
 If I see anything that could be a potential hazard to my colleagues or myself, I will alert my supervisor.
 I will return any Personal Protective Equipment, locker keys and/or ID passes on my final day.

Name of Person overseeing the Induction: ____________________________________________________

Signature ___________________________________________ Date _______________________________

If your supervisor changes, the new supervisor must see this page and know what health & safety training you
have received.
My First Day
Date:
How did you feel this morning? (Nervous, excited etc.)

What tasks/activities did you complete or observe today? Were you able to get on with something straight
away or did you have to shadow somebody? What jobs or responsibilities were you given when you first got
there?

What were your first impressions of the people you were working with and the place? Was it everything you
expected? Did anything surprise you? Explain.

What was the highlight of your day, and why?

What new skills/experiences did you learn? (Use page 5 to help you). Were you able to adapt or use any skills
learnt at school into the work environment? (e.g. teamwork / interpersonal skills).

What part of the day did you find most challenging or enjoy the least? Why?

What did you do well today and what are you most proud of?

Are there any things you have learnt from today that you will do differently tomorrow?

Do you want to raise anything with your supervisor?

Page |9
Write a short summary of each day. Share it with your parent/carer. What tasks did you do or observe? What new
skills/experiences did you learn? How were you able to adapt or use any skills learnt at school into the work
environment? (e.g. teamwork). What was the highlight of your day, and why? What part of the day did you find
most challenging/enjoyed the least? Do you want to raise anything with the supervisor? Continue on a separate
sheet of paper if you need to.

Day 2 – Date:

Day 3 – Date:
Day 4 – Date:

Day 5 – Date:

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Reflections and feelings after your week at work
Now you have completed your work experience, write down your thoughts and feelings. Some of the things you
could write about include the people, the work you were doing, the difference between work and school or the
new skills and tasks you have learnt. Think about what you have achieved and the experience you have gained.
What were your high and low points? What would you do differently? It will be useful to look back at your pre-
work experience thoughts on page 5.
P a g e | 13
Research Challenge 1: The Company
Whilst you are on work experience, there are some research challenges for you to complete. The member of staff,
who is responsible for looking after you, may be willing to spare some time to help you find the answers. Not all
areas will be relevant in some placements – so do your best! Use a separate piece of paper if you need to.

Who owns it? How old is it?

Is the business / organisation local, national or international?

How many people are employed ? Locally? Nationally? Internationally?

What is the company structure? (i.e. Public Sector, Charity or Voluntary Organisation, Private Company,
Company Limited by Guarantee, Sole Trader, etc.). What does that mean?

What does the organisation do? For instance, do they make things, offer a service or produce raw materials?

Who are the company/organisation’s main type of customer/client?

If the company produces a product, how many products do they make per week?

What raw materials are required?

Who are the main competitors in this area of work?

How does the business/organisation promote its shop, services or products?

What sort of premises does the business/organisation operate from?

How is the work organised e.g. are shifts worked etc.?

Are there Staff Associations or Trade Unions, which help to look after the employees’ rights at work? What do they
do and how do you become a member?

Do staff get any benefits? What are they?

Research Challenge 2: Equal Opportunities
Does the business / organisation have an equal opportunities policy? YES NO
(Please circle)

Have you seen Have you been

YES NO YES NO
and read it? treated fairly?
Have you been asked to do things you did not expect? (Give an example)

Are there men and women doing jobs you did not expect? (Give an example)

Are there people with disabilities working in the organisation? (Do they have special facilities? Give an example)

Research Challenge 3: A Job Profile

What are the different job roles found within the different departments? List them:

How important are job descriptions and person specifications? Why?

How many hours per week does a full- How many days paid holiday are given
time employee work? to a full-time employee, per year?
What is the career structure within the company i.e. how do you get from office junior to managing director?

Draw an organisation chart using a separate sheet of paper.

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Talk to someone about his or her job and record your findings below.
People may be busy, so think about how you are going to get the information, who you are going to ask and when
you are going to ask them.

Job title: Department:

What sort of things do you do in your job?

What skills do you need to do your job?

What personal qualities do you need to be successful in your job?

What hours / days do you work? What annual leave are you entitled too?

What qualifications do you need to do your job?

What extra training did you need/have?

How long did it take?

Did the training lead to a qualification?

How long have you worked here?

How did you find out about this job?

What do you like most about your job? What do you like least about your job?

What effects (if any) does this job have on your way of life outside of work? (i.e unsociable hours, shifts, etc.)

Remember to thank the person for giving up their time to talk to you
Research Challenge 4: Recruitment and Training
How and where does the company advertise for new recruits? Do they use agencies or advertise internally?

Do employees have to provide a CV, letter of application, complete an application form or apply by telephone?

What are the interview procedures? Does it include aptitude tests, group work, role-play exercises or a
presentation?

What employment legislation might affect the recruitment procedure?

Does the company have an appraisal scheme and/or staff development programme? What is an appraisal?

Are there opportunities for training and/or promotion whilst at work?

How is any training carried out: on the job (in-house), by day release, by block release, by evening classes or by
open learning?

What qualifications are offered through the company i.e. apprenticeships, BTEC, certificates, diplomas,
degrees?

What opportunities are available for employees with A Levels / Level 3 qualifications and a degree qualification
i.e. more money, more career opportunities?

Are there are any potential opportunities for the future, should you wish to follow this career route?

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You may like to collect comments from some of the people you have worked with. Use this space for this.

Northgate Staff Visit/Telephone Call

A member of staff from Northgate will try to visit you whilst you are on placement. However, this is not always
possible. It could be due to your location, working hours or the staff member’s timetable. If they are unable to
visit you, they will arrange to call you instead. You will go through the same process as if they had visited.

Who is going to visit/call you?

What day are they coming?

What time are they coming?

Make a note of anything you wish to speak with them about here:
Work Experience Employer’s Statement

Pupil’s Overall Performance (Please circle)

Excellent Good Satisfactory Disappointing

Pupil Feedback/Observations
Please expand on your feedback/observations, mentioning in particular strengths and weaknesses to aid
the pupil’s employability and career development.

Signed on Behalf of Company_______________________________ Position_______________________________

P a g e | 19
Saying Farewell
Thanking Your Employer
Employers put a lot of time and effort into organising work experience and deserve a gesture of appreciation
from their pupils.

Once you have finished your placement, you should send a letter of thanks. Study this sample letter below
from a pupil to the employer. Remember to:

1. Address it to the person in overall charge. This would be the person who interviewed you, even if you
never see them again afterwards.
2. Mention the things which you enjoyed. However, be brief - you are not writing a report.
3. Refer by name to the people you particularly want to thank, and explain why you wish to thank them.
4. Talk about the things of value that you will take with you from the experience.
5. Write about a specific incident or occasion which was particularly memorable. It is okay to be humorous,
but not silly.
Your Address
Your Town
Your Postcode
Name of person in overall charge
Name of company
Company Address
Company Town
Company Postcode

Today’s Date

Dear Name of person in overall charge

I am writing to thank you very much for the opportunity of being at your company for work experience. I
enjoyed the time a lot and found the work interesting. I especially enjoyed learning about how plastics are
made. The research you are doing on fire-resistant plastics is fascinating.

I was very grateful to Mr Colin Dawes and Ms Kathy Edwards for all the help and advice they gave me. I am
sure my science grades will improve because of them! Please pass on my regards to them, and to all the
others who made my stay so worthwhile.

Once again, many thanks and my good wishes to you all.

Yours sincerely

Your signature
Your printed name

Do not forget to ask for a reference from the Employer at the end of the placement.

Make sure you add your work experience (summarising your achievements and skills development) onto your
CV and any applications for education, university and work.
Post Work Experience Personal Objectives
Now you have completed your Work Experience Placement, which of these skills have you developed since
you completed your pre-work experience personal objectives. Check against your answers on page 5.

About the I still need

Communication Skills Improved
same to work on
Listening to / following instructions
Talking to supervisors / others at work
Communicating with different age groups
Speaking on the telephone
Writing messages / letters
Dealing with the public
Interviewing Skills
Being interviewed before / during the placement
Researching the work of the organisation
Organisational Skills
Planning your work / prioritising tasks
Organising time / meeting deadlines
Making decisions / solving problems
Number Skills
Dealing with figures, money etc.
Personal and Social Skills
Working on your own / in a team
Co-operating with others / negotiation
Accepting advice / criticism
Motivating yourself / tolerating routine / flexibility / patience
Responsibility for others / resources
Customer Care Skills
Presenting yourself well to the public / positive attitude
Providing a service, dealing with the public
Positive attitude, understanding how the organisation works
and presenting it positively
Information Technology Skills
Keyboard skills
Inputting data
Use of fax / e-mail / Internet
Use of till / bar coding
Personal Attributes
Punctuality / timekeeping
Attendance
Using initiative
Self confidence
Suitability for this type of work

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My Personal Action Plan
It takes planning to achieve your goals. Fill out your Personal Action Plan below and refer to it in the months
ahead, to make sure you are on track to achieving your goals.

What are my goals for the future?

What do I need to think about to achieve these?

What will I need to do in school, to work towards these goals?

What are my actions for this month?

What are my actions for the next year?

Where do I want to be in five years’ time?

What college/university/traineeships/apprenticeships are going to help me to get there?

What is the first thing that I need to do next to make things happen?
Looking Back at Work Experience
Looking back now, did you find your work experience worthwhile? Why?

Could your work experience placement have been improved?

Was your placement your first choice? If so, why did you particularly want to work there?

If not, what would have been your first choice and why?

Did your work experience placement help you gain the experiences you wanted? Explain.

Has work experience changed your attitude to work/employment?

Before your placement, what thoughts did you have about your career future? Has it helped you to decide what
you might like to do when you leave school? Why?

What or who has been an inspiration to you in your decision-making?

Share your knowledge and experiences with fellow pupils when you return to school.

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Parent/Carer Review
Overall how do you think the work experience was for your child?

Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor

Enjoyment
Environment
Hours
Responsibilities
Colleague Support
Please make any additional comments below
Notes:

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