Work Experience What you need to know…

what is work experience? Work Experience is a one week placement for students to work with an employer that can offer an insight into the industry and the workplace. It provides students with the valuable opportunity to: Develop employability skills Explore possible career options Understand employer expectations Increase self-understanding, maturity, independence and self-confidence While on Work Experience, students will have the opportunity to observe and learn – not undertake activities which require extensive training or expertise.

Why do work experience? There are many reasons why Work Experience is beneficial. Some include: To help with your career decision making process To explore options and to reflect on your skills and abilities To help you develop self-confidence and experience interaction with employers To prepare yourself for a part time job

Who can do work experience? Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Although it is not compulsory at St Monica’s College, students who are in Year 10, 11 and 12 can do Work Experience.

When is work experience? Work Experience can only be undertaken during the following times in 2019: Term 2 Holidays Monday 8th July – Friday 12th July Term 3 Holidays Monday 30th September – Friday 4th October Work Experience is for a duration of 5 consecutive days (Monday to Friday).

work experience options Permitted: Administration Automotive Industry Childcare Centres Hospitality Industry Retail Stores Sporting Clubs And many more… Prohibited: Abattoirs Animal Industry Fishing Boats Gun and Ammunition Stores Security Industry Tattooists

The Work experience Process Make a Careers Appointment Complete Occupational Health & Safety Tests Contact an employer Collect your paperwork Enjoy your placement

Making an appointment You can make an appointment in the following ways: Visit the Careers Centre before school, at recess, at lunch time, or after school. Use the ‘Make an Appointment’ form on the Careers Website. In your appointment you will be given information and materials related to your Work Experience. You will also receive your own Work Experience Planner to commence the preparation for a successful placement.

Occupational health & safety tests Common hazards exist in many workplaces. It is important that you learn about these so that you can stay safe while at work. You are required to complete two safe@work Occupational Health & Safety tests. These tests consist of 16 multiple choice questions and you will require to answer 12 of them correctly. These must be completed in the Careers Centre under supervision prior to receiving any paperwork.

Contacting an employer You may have to contact several employers before you are accepted. Don’t take this personally as it may be for many different reasons that they cannot accept you. E.g. too busy, short staffed, not enough work. You can contact an employer in person, via telephone or a written application (letter or email). If you are unsure of what to say, refer to pages 7 & 8 of your Work Experience Planner.

Your paperwork Now that you have completed the first few steps, you will be issued a Work Experience Arrangement Form. This needs to be signed by you, a parent/guardian, as well as the employer. You will need to return your completed paperwork to the Careers Centre by the due date. Once this is completed, you will receive a Work Experience pack with additional information.

Your placement The next step of this process is to enjoy your placement! A careers staff member will schedule a time with your employer to visit you during your time in the work place.