School work experience programme

About work experience

North Lanarkshire Council Education Department supports close partnership with business. Working with the business sector enables us to prepare our pupils for the workplace in a rapidly changing world.

Accordingly, we have a firmly established Education for Work and Enterprise programme to maximise this partnership. A key part of this programme is a one week work experience placements for our fourth year pupils.

Work experience gives our pupils an insight into the knowledge, skills and attitudes they will need when they enter the world of work.  It also gives local companies the opportunity to play an active part in the development of North Lanarkshire's future workforce.

Prior to going out on placement with firms, all our pupils learn about many aspects of the work place through a Work Experience Unit of the Personal and Social Development course.

Aims of work experience

Work experience aims to give pupils:

• experience of the workplace and and help to prepare them for the transition from school to work
• wider understanding of industrial and commercial life
• ways of thinking and behaving appropriate to the workplace
• increased self-confidence and independence
• enhanced communication skills
• improved capacity to work in co-operation with others
• awareness of their own potential

The role of the parent

 As a parent it is important that you:

• complete and return the school's work experience agreement form and
• read the details of your child's work placement and complete and return the parental placement permission slip

Additionally you can support the school's work experience programme as follows:

• notify the school's work experience co-ordinator immediately of any concerns you may have regarding the placement
• notify the employer and the school in good time if your child cannot attend the placement through illness or for any other reason
• ensure that your child dresses appropriately for the work placement
• ensure that your child wears any required protective clothing and footwear
• clean and return any clothing and footwear provided by the school immediately after completion of the placement
• ensure that you are aware of the school's travelling expenses arrangement for the placement
• ensure your child knows how to get to and from the placement
• ensure good timekeeping by your child
• follow lunch arrangements as detailed in the placement advert
• encourage a positive attitude to work
• remind your child to follow the work place rules and regulations

The information contained on these pages is available for download in leaflet format using the 'Download' box at the right hand side of your screen on the Contents page.

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