Engaging with schools

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS

Evidence shows that when young people have the opportunity to engage with employers, it has transformative effects on their employment outcomes. It will bring the world of work to life, develop skills, and encourage young people to take control of their
futures.

In return, when businesses engage with young people there are also a number of benefits. As well as being a fantastic way to raise awareness of your business name and the services or products that you offer, it provides you with an opportunity to shape the future of young people who could in turn be a future employee. In addition, your employees will develop new skills which can help career progression, loyalty and employee engagement.

WHAT TYPES OF WORK EXPERIENCE CAN I OFFER TO YOUNG PEOPLE?

BLOCK WORK EXPERIENCE

One-week placements carried out in Years 10/11 in a variety of sectors. Employers offer work experience and students can select an opportunity of interest and go to work at a business following a successful interview.

BESPOKE WORK EXPERIENCE

One-week placements usually carried out in Years 12/13 tailored specifically to a student and employer. These are lined up directly with the employer for a student on a certain course or with a particular interest following a successful interview.

EXTENDED WORK EXPERIENCE

Placements usually for Years 11/12/13 for one or two days per week over an extended period of time (a term/terms or over an academic year) subject to a successful interview. These opportunities are specific to a student’s interests and employers are sourced with a particular student in mind knowing their preferences.

GETTING STARTED

Many businesses start small and develop a school engagement strategy over time. Your first point of contact should be Services for Young People who are able to support you with recruitment as well as enabling you to engage with young people in education.

Services for Young People (part of Hertfordshire County Council) can provide employers with support in the following areas:

• Ideas for tasks/projects/jobs you can give young people to do whilst on their placement to support your business
• The process prior to, during and after work experience to alleviate any concerns and provide step by step information 
• Hints and tips for successful work experience and how to get the best out of the placement.
• How to set up a timetable and share responsibility for the student so that teams can be involved rather than one individual or Manager. 
• Health & Safety queries
• How to support a wide range of students, including those additional learning needs or disabilities.

FIND OUT MORE

To offer work placements to students email Tim Edwards on [email protected] or call 01438 844766 and a dedicated member of the Services for Young People team will be in touch.

Alternatively contact the Skills Lead at Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Caroline Cartwright on
[email protected]