Northern Skills Group - Employers Guide to Industry Placements

EMPLOYERS GUIDE TO INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS Inspiring the workforce of tomorrow

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APPRENTICESHIPS & TRAINING www.northernskills.co.uk

Discover our industry placement opportunities Contents Planning and designing your industry placement programme p3 Planning the content of an industry placement

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Inducting students and attendance

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Reviewing student progress

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Health and safety p7 Preparing for a health and safety assessment of your workplace

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Safeguarding students on industry placements

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Continuous improvement p9 Essential information p10 Giving your business the competitive edge by recruiting an apprentice

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Our focus is to equip young people with the skills, training and experience to progress into their chosen career. That’s why, in 2019, 96% of full-time students have already secured employment, an apprenticeship or are accessing further study at College or University. Thank you for choosing to work with us we couldn’t do it without your support!

Our industry placements rely on a three way partnership between the employer, the College, and the student to ensure those participating gain the skills and experience necessary to shape their future careers and to take advantage of employment opportunities available supporting local business growth.

Whether you have decided to offer a one off industry placement or work trial, a rolling programme of opportunities, group project or an extended industry placement, this handbook will provide you with clear guidance on what to expect from us and what is expected of you as an employer.

01642 333 344 • email. placements@mbro.ac.uk

Planning and designing your industry placement programme We aim to ensure that all students have the opportunity to undertake high-quality, meaningful work-based learning as part of their study programme, we call these ‘industry placements’.

Industry placements can vary in length from a few days to 45 days+ providing students with an opportunity to extend their knowledge and understanding of a working environment within their chosen study sector. A minimum number of hours may need to be completed, dependant on the specific course. It’s up to you to decide on the projects and tasks students will do during their industry placements. They can do what anyone else in the job role does – as long as they are trained to do it, and are properly supervised. We recognise that each business is unique, and we’ll work with you to develop suitable opportunities whatever project or job role you have in mind. Our team of industry placement coordinators/assessors have a wealth of experience and can share details of the student’s study programme and prior knowledge to ensure a great match!

Here are some ideas for selecting suitable projects and tasks:

h Make them interesting and challenging – projects should challenge students and help them develop a breadth of skills so they can progress into a career.

h Vary tasks throughout the placement – giving students repetitive tasks won’t build a broad range of skills and could demotivate them.

h Develop the student’s practical skills – that’s the real

purpose of an industry placement. So, select tasks which are new to the student and support them to build their skills.

h Be realistic – giving students too much to do or asking them to carry out difficult or complex tasks without support won’t help their development.

h Supervise and train students – so they can learn to do

the tasks well, with supervision at first and then without when they have shown that they are competent.

h Reflect the role – most job roles involve a range of tasks,

so projects should give students a chance to learn a wide range of skills.

Did

you know We offer a diverse range of subject areas including: • Business • Hairdressing and • Catering and Beauty Therapy Hospitality • Health and Social Care • Childcare and • Music and Performing Education Arts • Computing and IT • Public Services • Construction • Science • Design and Media • Sport • Engineering • Travel and Tourism

Types of industry placement Industry placements can vary in length and type and can be flexible in design to meet both the needs of your business and the student’s study programme.

Projects Negotiated pieces of work, either group based or individual, usually carried out during term-time. These projects are often flexible and do not necessarily require full-time attendance in the workplace to complete a project.

Short industry placements From a few days, to a number of weeks these placements can be offered as a block week or specific days over a few weeks providing valuable experience in a job related to the student’s course. Activities may include work shadowing across a range of roles within different departments or specific tasks working within one team.

Extended industry placements (45 days+) T Levels are a brand new two-year qualification for 16-19 year olds designed with employers. At the heart of each course, a 45 day industry placement will provide early access to the brightest talent entering the market.

Alongside A Levels and apprenticeships, T Levels are one of three main qualifications for school leavers and will begin replacing many of the current vocational qualifications from 2020.

Available via a mix of day release and block week(s) these placements provide an opportunity to find solutions for entry-level skills shortage, develop future talent for your business and capitalise on new ideas and a fresh perspective.

Looking to recruit?

Whether you are looking to fill a vacancy or bring a new apprentice into your business our industry placements provide the perfect opportunity to offer a trial ensuring that the student is right for your business and your business right for them.

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Inducting students and attendance Induction training will help students settle quickly into your workplace by helping them understand the environment in which they are based and the type of work they will be observing, learning about and doing.

Induction

Attendance

Whilst on an industry placement we ask that the student is treated as an employee of your business. They should be allocated a mentor/line manager and undertake appropriate induction and training for the role. A typical induction might include::

We need to know in all cases if a student’s attendance or engagement is unsatisfactory and ask that you contact us if the student:

h An overview of the organisation and an explanation of

the types of work they will be observing, learning about and doing. A tour including where they will work, rest room facilities and toilets

h An introduction to the people they will work with and their mentor/supervisor

h An explanation of your company policies and procedures such as equality and diversity, health and safety, safeguarding and confidentiality

h Expectations on sickness/absence management h Exchange of relevant documentation including where appropriate, student DBS

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h Has an unexplained absence from the workplace h Does not return from a pre-arranged break h Is making unsatisfactory progress h You wish to end the placement early In the event of student absence please contact your industry placement coordinator/assessor in the first instance.

Alternatively please email placements@mbro.ac.uk to reach a member of the team.

Reviewing student progress To check that both the student and their employer are getting the most out of their industry placement it is important to monitor progress at regular intervals.

This will ensure that any additional support needs are properly addressed. We will fully involve the student’s mentor/ supervisor in this process.

Northern Skills Group's role

h Contact the employer at the beginning of the agreed

industry placement to ensure the student(s) has attended and answer any queries

h Organise a schedule of regular progress meetings. For our extended industry placement provision. This will involve an initial visit, mid and end assessment review

h Involve the student and the workplace mentor/supervisor in any progress reviews

h Record the progress made by students in the workplace h Provide an electronic feedback questionnaire each half

Employer's role

h Let us know how the student is progressing in the workplace

h Advise us of any concerns which you may have regarding the student’s progress

h Attend and participate fully, in student progress reviews

h Complete the feedback questionnaire(s) to confirm student hours of attendance and provide feedback which will be shared with the student

term in the case of extended industry placements, and end of placement questionnaire in the case of all other activities to both the student and employer

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Health and safety We have a positive commitment to promoting good health and safety practice in the workplace and will seek assurance that your workplace is a safe environment for our students.

Northern Skills Group's role

h Use competent staff to verify that you can provide a healthy, safe and supportive learning environment

h Assist you on questions of health and safety requirements and application to individual students

h Provide a safe and healthy working environment for students

h Monitor health and safety practices on an ongoing basis h Promote health and safety training to students to raise their awareness of risk

h Check student’s understanding of health and safety risk awareness

h Investigate any accidents involving students within the workplace and agree preventative action

Employer's role

h Ensure the health, safety and welfare of students and bring your policy to their attention

h Comply with health and safety legislation h Inform the student about who is responsible for health and safety matters within the company

h Provide initial and ongoing health and safety training in the workplace for students

h Provide necessary personal protective equipment h Report any accidents concerning students immediately to us, and report under RIDDOR if required

h Assess the risks to which students are exposed at

work and apply the general principle of prevention

h Introduce and maintain appropriate measures to

eliminate or control risks to the lowest reasonable practicable level

h Ensure students are properly supervised by a competent person

h Ensure that students are covered under Employers Liability Insurance

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Preparing for a health and safety assessment of your workplace Although the student is not an employee, they must be treated as such with regards to your health and safety responsibilities.

We will also seek assurance that all industry placements take place in a safe, healthy and supportive working environment. The assessment will take around 20-40 minutes to complete and will normally include the topics detailed in this section. If there are any shortfalls this will be indicated on the report with suggested actions and must be addressed before approval of the industry placement.

The Employer will provide:

h A copy of your Certificate of Employers Liability Insurance h Health and Safety Policy (if relevant) Further guidance is available at www.hse.gov.uk

The Health & Safety Assessment will cover:

h Insurance h Management of health and safety h Health and safety policies and risk assessments h Supervision, training and induction h Work equipment and PPE h Working environment and welfare h Accident and disease reporting h Fire, first aid and emergencies h Health surveillance h Safeguarding and prevent employer agreement development plan

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Safeguarding students on industry placements We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students.

As an employer providing an industry placement for a student, you also have a responsibility and we expect all employers to share our commitment to safeguarding and the prevent duty. We are required by law to ensure that everyone working with children (up to the age of 18 years) and vulnerable adults understand their responsibilities to keep them safe.

Areas where a young person could be at risk include: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, bullying including cyberbullying, child missing from education, child missing from home or care, child sexual exploitation (CSE), domestic violence, drugs, fabricated or induced illness, faith abuse, female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, gangs and youth violence, gender-based violence / violence against women and girls (VAWG), mental health, private fostering, preventing radicalisation, relationship abuse, sexting and trafficking.

Staff at Middlesbrough College/Northern Skills Group/ TTE have had Disclosure Barring Service checks and have undergone safeguarding training which assists them in identifying and addressing any safeguarding concerns.

It is your responsibility to ensure your employees working alongside students are free from convictions and will not pose a threat or danger to the student. It is important that you are mindful of potential risks when identifying roles and responsibilities for students to ensure they are not put at risk.

We have a designated safeguarding team that is available to provide support to students, families, employers and staff. If for any reason that you suspect that a student does not feel safe, or you know someone who you feel may be in danger, please contact your industry placement coordinator/assessor or alternatively contact the safeguarding team.

Text ‘Safe’ to 83123 or email: safeguarding@mbro.ac.uk Further information on our safeguarding and prevent procedures can be read in the policy which is available for you to read on our website.

Northern Skills Group's role

h Have a safeguarding policy which all staff fully adhere to h Ensure employers and students are aware of and support our safeguarding policy

h Assist employers who do not have a safeguarding policy in devising and implementing a policy by providing a generic template

h Ensure employers and students are aware of our designated safeguarding representatives

h To treat any employer or student safeguarding suspicions or disclosures with professionalism and discretion and to support employers and students following a disclosure

Employer's role:

h To ensure a safe working environment for all students and identify a named member of staff to be the key contact for welfare, safeguarding and prevent

h To create a culture which is committed to protect students from potential harm or damage

h Ensure employees working alongside students are free from convictions and will not pose a threat or danger to the student

h To comply with all safeguarding legislation and to implement a safeguarding policy with assistance from us if one is not yet in place

h Support students through any safeguarding issues or disclosures

h To report to us any safeguarding concerns you may have with students

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01642 333 344 • email. placements@mbro.ac.uk

Continuous improvement All work-based learning is subject to external inspection by Ofsted.

Inspections look at the quality and impact of learning in all areas.

Inspectors typically collect much of their evidence through discussions with students and employers, and therefore your views and comments will form an important part of the process.

Northern Skills Group's role

h To produce an annual self-assessment report against Ofsted’s common inspection framework and action plan

h To continuously improve provision to provide an increasingly good service to students and employers

h To prepare for regular inspections by Ofsted and work with inspectors during inspection

Ofsted's Assessment will cover:

h Provide us with feedback on the quality of our industry placement programme

h To take part in discussions with inspectors during inspections as required

h To allow inspectors to take part in discussions with students during the inspection process

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Essential information Equality and diversity

Prevent strategy

We recognise our role in creating a climate which supports equality, diversity and opportunity and will endeavour to address by reasonable adjustments to remove any barriers that may exist in relation to any of the protected characteristics for all our students, apprentices, staff and potential applicants.

We have a vital role to play in protecting students from the risks of extremism and radicalisation which is underpinned by the Counter Terrorism & Security Act 2015.

We recognise that our legal obligation is to; eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations. We have zero tolerance and are opposed to any form of discriminatory behaviour, bullying or harassment on the grounds of:

h Age h Disability h Race h Gender h Religion / belief h Marital status / civil partnership h Gender reassignment h Pregnancy & maternity h Sexual orientation h Social background or any other personal characteristic We ask that your organisation supports our equality and diversity policy by undertaking the same commitment as us in actively promoting equality of opportunity for all of your staff and students. Our industry placement coordinators/ assessors will discuss equality and diversity with you and share the equality and diversity policy when they visit you.

We can also support with training should you wish to further develop your equality and diversity arrangements.

Radicalisation is the process by which individuals come to support terrorism or violent extremism. It is recognised that radicalisation can occur to any individual from any section of society and is not particular to any racial, ethnic or social group. It is also recognised that in many instances the process of radicalisation is essentially one of grooming by others.

Northern Skills Group work closely with communities and partner agencies to safeguard vulnerable individuals from any background who might be at risk from radicalisation.

A number of possible behaviour changes could suggest that your work placement student could be at risk of radicalisation and it is important that you are aware of these. These would include increased instances of:

h A conviction that their religion, culture or beliefs are under threat and treated unjustly

h A tendency to look for conspiracy theories and distrust of mainstream media

h The need for identity and belonging h Being secretive about who they are talking to online,

switching screens when a staff member enters the room

h Becoming emotionally volatile If you spot any concerns about a student, please contact the safeguarding team.

Text ‘Safe’ to 83123 or email: safeguarding@mbro.ac.uk Further information on our safeguarding and prevent procedures can be read in the policy which is available on our website for you to read.

More ways for you and your business to get involved

Could you?

At Middlesbrough College we expect all of our students to leave us having gained some valuable work experience and there are many different ways in which you can get involved.

h Offer virtual, interactive projects to provide a

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h Come in or provide virtual talks or Q&A sessions? h Offer a ‘show and tell’ site visit or live virtual tour for

students to visit your organisation and learn about the work that you do and ask questions? meaningful taster of ‘real world’ activities carried out in your business?

h Support students with mock interviews? h Join us at a range of careers and recruitment events throughout the academic year?

01642 333 344 • email. placements@mbro.ac.uk

Giving your business the competitive edge by recruiting an apprentice Apprenticeships explained Apprenticeships are unique work-based training programmes designed to industry standards that meet the needs of employers. They allow staff to work, earn a wage and gain a work-based qualification, all at the same time.

Apprenticeship Types: Level 2 – Intermediate Level Apprenticeship (GCSE) Level 3 – Advanced Level Apprenticeship (A Level) Level 4-5 – Higher Level Apprenticeship (up to degree level) Level 6-7 – Degree Level Apprenticeship

End point assessment This includes a series of tests an apprentice must take to provide evidence they can do the job they have been training for.

Business benefits h Increase productivity and efficiency h New funding opportunities available h Develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce h Bring in new ideas for your business h Improve profitability h Reduce training and recruitment costs h Diversify and freshen up your workforce h Increase motivation and staff retention

Who are they for?

Apprenticeships are available to anyone over 16 and can be completed by existing staff who want to develop their skills or by new recruits who are starting in an apprentice role.

What is involved?

Apprenticeship components may include: Employment An expected minimum of 30 hours a week paid employment. Many employers offer a 37 hour week.

20% off the job training The underpinning of a quality apprenticeship, a minimum of 20% paid learning time must take place outside of the general day to day work.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours This can be a technical certificate and NVQ or an apprenticeship standard.

Transferable skills element – functional skills These are practical, applied skills relevant to both young people and adult learners. They help develop important skills like communication, teamwork, problem -solving and presentation skills. These could be English, maths or ICT. Employability This includes work skills, employability skills and personal development as well as: knowledge, confidence, resilience, mental health, punctuality and attendance.

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MIDDLESBROUGH COLLEGE’S APPRENTICESHIP & TRAINING COMPANY

Useful Contacts Health and Safety: Benjamin Hawking - b.hawking@mbro.ac.uk Safeguarding: safeguarding@mbro.ac.uk Apprenticeships: info@northernskills.co.uk

Northern Skills Group Tel. 01642 333 344 Email. placements@mbro.ac.uk www.northernskills.co.uk

Ver4. 20/07/20

Northern Skills Group (Middlesbrough) Middlesbrough College Campus Dock Street Middlesbrough TS2 1AD

TTE Edison House Middlesbrough Road East South Bank Middlesbrough TS6 6TZ

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APPRENTICESHIPS & TRAINING