How to Help Your Child Find a Work Experience Placement

Sourcing a placement can be daunting for you and your child. However, the process can also be a valuable learning experience for your child and help build their confidence. There are many ways for you to support your child to find a placement.

These include:

talking to them about subjects they like and dislike
encouraging them to speak to their careers adviser
passing on any contacts you may have who could help your child
encouraging them to start their search for a placement early
making sure they try to arrange their own work experience
rehearsing telephone calls they may need to make to an employer
proof reading emails they send to any employers
thinking about the location of placement and how they will get there

Manage Their Expectations and Help Them See the Benefits of Work Experience

Work experience is often the first contact your child will have with the world of work. It forms part of their careers education and allows them to observe and learn – not to do activities which require extensive training or experience.

Talking to your child about the benefits of work experience can help them to understand how useful it can be. Work experience:

gives insight into the skills required for a particular job
is an opportunity to test out a job to see if your child really likes it
can broaden their knowledge of jobs they have never considered
will increase their awareness of their own skills and strengths
helps them understand how the subjects they study in school link to certain jobs
gives insight into what the world of work is really like and employers' expectations
can increase their motivation to do well in school
puts them in contact with potential employers
can give them useful experience for their CV and provide referees
helps them appreciate the skills needed to succeed in a job