Work Experience Diary 2017

Name:………………………………………………………

Employer:………………………………………………….

INTRODUCTION

This booklet is intended for you to complete as part of your placement. It should help you think more about what you are doing and why you are doing it – hopefully helping you to gain maximum benefit from your Work Experience.

WHY WORK EXPERIENCE?

Work experience will give you a chance to:

  • Research the jobs market, growth industries and choices available
  • Sample a working environment
  • Observe the difference between school and working life
  • Gain more self-confidence
  • Use key skills in the workplace

WORK EXPERIENCE CHECK LIST.

Before your work experience placement, you must find out:

  • Where the company is situated, how to get there??
  • What time you start and finish and who to report to - Try not to be late!
  • What type of clothing to wear?
  • What the arrangements are for lunch? Does the firm have a canteen? Do you need to take a packed lunch?

REMEMBER TO:

  • Observe the safety regulations
  • Listen carefully to all instructions given by your supervisor in your workplace
  • Ask questions if unsure
  • Be courteous and polite
  • Turn off your mobile phone
  • Do not chew gum
  • Thank everyone before you leave for their help
  • Ask for a reference if appropriate
  • Don’t fool around

FINALLY, GOOD LUCK!!!

Enjoy your work experience and you should learn a lot from it. Do not worry if you feel a bit nervous before hand. This is only natural as it is something new to you but do ask questions employers want you to be interested.

The important thing is that you will have been introduced to the role of work and will have discovered why your schoolwork is so important for your future.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Home telephone number______

School______Class/Group______

School Address______

______

______Telephone number______

Name of teacher in charge of work experience______

Company/Organisation______

Address______

______

Telephone number______

Name of main contact______

Name of supervisor______


PREPARING for an INTERVIEW

You may need to have an interview with your prospective placement provider before the placement is confirmed. It is necessary….

To let them meet you and make sure you will be suitable for this area of work

So that you know where and with whom you will be working

Interviews are rarely formal, but you still need to be prepared for one first impressions count. Here are some tips to help you.

THE INTERVIEW

His/Her job title was: ______


HEALTH AND SAFETY

IT IS VITAL that you follow the health and safety rules whilst you are on your work experience placement.

YOU have a personal responsibility to do this aswell as your employer.

Each employer will have specific instructions relating to the workplace.

The rules are there to ensure that you do not do anything to endanger yourself or others working in the workplace – including colleagues and customers.

Work Experience may be your first time in the work place.

  • Learn how to work safely and obey safety rules!
  • Use all safety equipment and protective clothing provided!
  • Report things that seem dangerous, damaged or faulty!
  • Never play practical jokes-they can kill!
  • Only use tools, machinery or substances after you have been trained and given permission to do it!

You can learn more about health and safety at:

MY FIRST DAY

It would be useful for you to record your feelings about the placement on your first day. You may find they change quite a lot as you progress in your placement.

DIARY

Please give a brief detail of the activities that you have completed each day.

Try to do this daily so that you don’t forget what you have done

LEARNING through WORK EXPERIENCE

Write down six different things that you have done well in your job.

Decide which key skill you think it shows you have learned or improved.

Ask your supervisor to sign it if they agree you can do this successfully.Key Signed

Skill

KEY SKILL ABBREVIATIONS (a short way of writing them down)

CCommunicationListening, speaking, asking questions, discussing,

using the telephone, writing, reading and responding.

NApplication of numberUsing numbers, measuring, recording data,

handling money, doing calculations.

ITInformation TechnologyUsing a fax machine, using computers to search,

Select, prepare and present information.

WOWorking with OthersGetting along with others, working in a team, being

flexible, being co-operative with colleagues.

IPImproving Learning andSetting targets, action planning, managing time,

Performancelearning from others, developing confidence.

PSProblem SolvingRecognising and describing problems, making

decisions, selecting and carrying out solutions.

PPPractical/PhysicalHandling equipment, making things, showing

Skillco-ordination.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Does the company have an equal opportunities policy? Yes/No

Have you seen and read it? Yes/No

Have you been treated like and adult? Give an example: ……………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………

How is it different from school?

………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Are there men and women doing jobs you didn’t expect?

Men Women Both

What special facilities are there for people with disabilities? (Ramp, wide doors, lifts etc)

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Are there any people with disabilities working in the company? Yes/No

MY EVALUATION of WORK EXPERIENCE

When your placement is completed, you need to spend some time reflecting on what you have done, what you did well, who helped you, what you have learned- and then look at where you go now…