Last year over 250 students from Honiton Community College attended a work experience placement, and over 170 employers accepted our students on placements. We fully appreciate the effort that all the employers put into the scheme and would like to thank them for their participation and continuing support.   Year 10 Work Experience Week Each July the whole of Year 10 attend a work placement for one week, they begin the process of finding a placement in the Autumn term and are expected to find a placement themselves using the skills they have learnt in their careers lessons. Year 10 work experience week is 22-26 July 2013.   Sixth Form Work Experience Students in the Sixth Form can also apply to do an optional week of work experience, and many of them take the opportunity to improve their university applications or their CVs by taking part. Sixth Form block week is 25 February - 1 March 2013.   Extended Work Experience We also have an ever increasing number of students in Years 10, 11 and the Sixth Form who are studying vocational courses and many of them attend an extended work experience placement to compliment their studies, usually for one day a week for the whole or part of their course.   Placement Checks All placements are checked for us by the Devon Education Business Partnership before students are allowed to start their placement. These checks will need to be repeated every one to three years depending on the nature of the business; the checker ensures that the employer has both public and employer's liability in place, as well as making sure that the placement is safe and suitable for the student. The checker can also answer any questions the employer has and advise on what sort of tasks the student is allowed to do.  

Aim of Work Experience

The main aim of work experience scheme is to give students an insight into the world of work as part of an educational programme. An essential element is that students take part rather than observe wherever possible in the work of the firm they are visiting.

Legislation

Arrangements for schemes are controlled by The Education (Work Experience) Act. When there is a statutory restriction on the employment of young people, for example, work with electricity, dangerous machines or hours at work limitations, these would continue to apply.

Health and Safety

The Health and Safety at Work Act requires the employers to ensure that young people on work experience are not exposed to risks to their health and safety and particular care needs to be taken to avoid activities where there may be such a risk. Adequate supervision must be exercised throughout the placement, although a main characteristic of the scheme is student participation with observation of other activities. The employer should ensure that any necessary protective clothing or equipment is worn. Employers should comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and in particular should advise students about key aspects on the first day.

Insurance

As indicated above, students should not be required to work with or near dangerous machinery, or in environments that are hazardous for any other reasons. These precautions should minimise the risk of accidents. However, since this risk can never be eliminated the employer should protect himself by insuring against claims from students in respect of any accident allegedly caused by negligence of the employer or his staff. This insurance may already be available under the policy which the employer is legally obliged to take out against claims from his employees or under any Public Liability policy he may have effected.

The Devon Education Business Partnership, which has a responsibility for Health and Safety checking, may require an employer to produce evidence that in one way or another he is covered against claims from students. Students are not employed under a Contract of Service and are not entitled to the benefits of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act in the event of injury through accident. In the case of accident or sickness the employer should notify the school as soon as possible.

Arrangements

Employers will be contacted by Devon EBP in order to check Health and Safety and Insurance requirements.

Parents’ consent to the placement is requested and the students are briefed as to what will be involved. Medical information is obtained to ensure that students do not undertake work experience which may be harmful or dangerous. Students are briefed about Health and Safety issues and given a booklet prior to their placement. As the experience is regarded as part of the education programme employers are not expected to pay students. There is no objection, however, to assistance being given with travel and subsistence expenses.

Contact Details

The links below provide more information for employers regarding work experience. You can also contact Shelagh Andrews at the College if you have any questions or queries.   Mrs Shelagh Andrews Honiton Community College School Lane Honiton Devon EX14 1QT   Tel: (01404) 42283 Ext 261 Fax: (01404) 44491 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     Useful Links:   The Big Conversation Government resources for employers offering work experience. The Right Start HSE - Work Experience for young people - health and safety basics for employers Young People at Work HSE - More detailed guide for employers Five Steps to Risk Assessment HSE - A brief guide to help small businesses prepare a risk assessment   Visit the employers pages of the Apprenticeships Website to find out about offering apprenticeships to young people