Impress Communications

An employer’s perspective on potential opportunities, benefits and issues for work experience at 16+

Impress Communications

- Small to medium sized companies are the UK’s forgotten army – the CBI- 4.8 million – 60% of private sector jobs and over half of private sector turnover- Significant source of work placement- I run two

Impress Communications

- A PR and advertising agency- A bi-monthly magazine- Each with less than 10 employees- Delivering work experience to pre and post 16 students

Impress Communications

- Personally active in the school’s careers service via the PA- Delivering termly seminars- Biennial careers fair- Proactive work among parent body

Impress Communications

What lessons can I pass on from my experience?

Impress Communications

DO – prepare the student in advance.

Impress Communications

DON’T – - over-egg the role- dismiss the local SME- underestimate the time, effort and work being incurred by the SME

Impress Communications

DO – cultivate employer contacts.

Impress Communications

The good, the bad and the ugly

Impress Communications

The good- Prepared- Done their research- Know the company- Understand the +s and -s

Impress Communications

The bad- No interest- low boredom threshold- No prior research about us, what we do and our sector- an opportunity to skive- expect too much

Impress Communications

The ugly- No appreciation for the time and attention being given- giving nothing back- almost rude and disruptive- a sour taste in the mouth

Impress Communications

How can you help- Provide clear advice + guidance - Cut down on paperwork + admin- Help with monitoring + evaluation- Help with the nitty-gritty – Insurance, H&S; law- Don’t pay lip service to partnership

Impress Communications

The success of a placement relies upon an effective partnership between the

employer, the work experience organiser, the school and the student.