Employers' Guide to Industry Placements

YOUR GUIDE TO INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS

WHAT IS AN INDUSTRY PLACEMENT? An Industry Placement is a shift from traditional work experience to a longer, more structured placement in the workplace for young people to develop real work skills and make a meaningful contribution to your organisation.

Placements will last at least 315 hours (approx. 45 days).

Industry placements are happening now - to prepare for T Levels, employers are partnering with local colleges and schools to trial Industry Placements. Industry placements give you a chance to

work alongside the next generation of workers entering your industry, making sure they develop the knowledge, attitude and practical skills to succeed.

Industry placements give you early sight of the new talent coming into your industry. They can help you with recruitment, improve innovation and increase your organisation’s productivity. They also have important social benefits.

Your responsibilities would be to provide: •

A line manager to support, supervise and mentor the student

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An induction which includes explaining relevant policies and procedures

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A safe work environment

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Opportunities for the student to develop their technical skills within your industry

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Feedback on the student’s progress at the end of the placement

STEPS TO AN INDUSTRY PLACEMENT 1. EXPRESS AN INTEREST Are you wanting to find out more about industry placements?

2. GET IN TOUCH WITH US When you are ready, get in touch. We have students looking for Industry Placements at Redcar and Cleveland College, Stockton Riverside College and Bede Sixth Form College.

3. SELECT A STUDENT We can help you identify suitable students. If you are wanting to conduct interviews, we can help schedule these.

4. GET YOUR BUSINESS READY

FOR THE PLACEMENT STUDENT

Make sure your workplace is ready to host the placement student.

5. DECIDE WHEN AND HOW

YOU’LL DELIVER THE PLACEMENT

We can agree dates and times that work best for everyone.

6. DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO PAY

THE STUDENT

There is no legal requirement or expectation that students will be paid. Some employers may choose to pay their students the National Minimum Wage for their age.

7. AGREE ON WORK OBJECTIVES FOR THE STUDENT With the support of your Work Experience Coordinator, you will decide what the student will do and how you will manage them.

8. MANAGE THE STUDENT Assign someone to line manage the student during their placement, track their progress against objectives and give regular feedback.

9. WRITE A REFERENCE At the end of the placement, let the student know how they did.

10. DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO

MAKE A JOB OFFER

At the end of the placement you can talk to the college or school about hiring the student after they finish their course.

BENEFITS SMARTER RECRUITMENT •

Industry placements are an ideal solution for entry-level skills.

They can help you build a pipeline of talent for junior positions or apprenticeships.

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It is a cost-effective method of recruitment as we can help connect you with young people who are keen to build on their skills.

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Placements can help develop the next generation of workers entering your industry, making sure they develop the knowledge, attitude and practical skills to succeed.

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A commitment to Industry Placements raises your organisation’s profile, locally and nationally

EXTRA SUPPORT FOR YOUR STAFF •

For smaller employers, young people can be an invaluable source of new and interesting ideas that can change the way you think about doing business.

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A placement student could help support a project when you are struggling to meet difficult deadlines.

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Existing staff can build on their management and mentorship skills, both of which are known to increase job satisfaction.

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Industry placements create opportunities for a diverse range of 16 to 19-year olds. Diversity helps your organisation understand customers better, creates better performing teams and increases innovation and creativity.

FAQS WE ALREADY OFFER APPRENTICESHIPS – WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? If you already offer apprenticeships, Industry Placements are a great way of getting to know potential future apprentices early on, before they leave education. Apprentices can be ‘buddies’ for Industry Placement students and act as mentors. Also, when apprentices are doing off-the-job training, it might be appropriate for an Industry Placement student to cover their role.

DOES IT COST? No! There is no legal requirement to pay the student. Placement students can add resource to your team at a time when you need more people.

WHAT STAFF NEED TO BE INVOLVED? A key person will need to be appointed as a supervisor and/or mentor – they help students settle in and learn, just as they do for any employee or temporary worker.

This could be a great opportunity for your existing staff to develop their management skills.

WILL THERE BE PAPERWORK? There will be some! However, our Work Experience Coordinators will support you throughout the Industry Placement, including assistance with the necessary paperwork and support with designing the Industry Placement.

During the placement, the Work Experience Coordinator will be on call in case of any issues or concerns. They will also arrange visits during the placement to check how the student is getting on.

To find out more go to: employerindustryplacements. co.uk/intr CONTACT: Charlotte Dexter Tel: 07583 120 293 Email: charlotte.dexter@the-etc. ac.uk

Etc. for Business Harvard Avenue, Stockton-on-Tees, Thornaby, TS17 6FB