Work

Work experience

While you are at school you will be given the opportunity to do some work experience. Where possible, your placement will be arranged through your school or college.

Work experience can play a key role in helping you develop an understanding of the world of work. It will help give you an insight into what working is really like.

It can also help you to think about what options are available to you when you leave school or college.

Work experience is not compulsory but many employers think that it is very useful. You'll find many people, including your parents or carers, teachers and advisers will recommend that you try some type of work experience.

Future opportunity

Getting as much work experience as possible in your chosen career, or areas that you are interested in, will help you in the future. It will look good on your CV and be useful to include on job applications.

Don't forget that any experience is better than no experience, even if it isn't directly related to what you want to do as a career.

Term time work

Work experience is usually taken in term time and can last up to two weeks. If you decide you would like to gain more work experience, seasonal work or volunteering may be an option.

The number of hours worked and the pattern of work can vary from job to job. As a rule you should not be asked to work more than eight-hours a day and no more than five days in a seven-day period. Remember to get your hours agreed beforehand.

Plan ahead

There is a lot of competition for some placements so think about planning something quite a bit in advance. Consider where, when and for how long you would like to do your work experience.

To get some ideas have a look at local companies' websites.

Also, talk to your family and friends to see whether they have any contacts who can help.

Disabled workers

If you are a disabled student, it's possible that health and safety legislation will prevent you from doing work placements in some places.

This is because health and safety takes priority over the Disability Discrimination Act. However, if you are a disabled young person and want to go into work, you are still entitled to the same job opportunities as anyone else.

What you'll get out of work experience

If you do some work experience you will be expected to carry out a range of tasks and duties. You will also be able to:

• Put it down on your CV and job application forms.
• Pick up new skills, experiences, ideas and understanding of the work.
• Learn how to deal with people, work in a team, use office equipment and IT packages.
• See what you enjoy and don't enjoy about the particular jobs/careers.
• Talk to people who are already doing the job and find out what they think about the work they are doing.

Talent Year Initiative

The Talent Year initiative is a national full-time volunteer project offering 44 week-long placements for 1,000 young people aged 16-25.

Launched by vinspired in March 2009, the scheme is a fantastic opportunity to get involved and give something back to public sector services, working in areas such as nursery education, play work and youth work.

On top of this, it's a great chance to boost your CV and improve your employability. The programme lets you work towards a minimum qualification of a Level 2 NVQ.

At least forty per cent of the places will go to young people not already in employment, training or education.

Who can help?

Your school or college will be able to give you more information on what type of work experience and placements are available.

Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities has a great website that offer loads of information and practical advice on work and training. Visit the Skill site at www.skill.org.uk/index.asp

You can find what sort of jobs and careers are out there at the jobs4u careers database, http://www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/. This might help you make your decision when it comes to deciding where to do work experience.

Find out more about the Talent Year initiative by visiting www.vinspired.com/v/funding/vtalentyear

You can speak to a Personal Adviser at your local Connexions Centre. To find your local centre click on the Local Services icon in the footer of the homepage or check out your local phone book.

You can contact a Connexions Direct Adviser by phone on 080 800 13 2 19, by text on 07766 4 13 2 19, by textphone 08000 968 336, by adviser online or by email.