Year 10 students are invited to participate in a Work Experience Program at some time throughout the year. The format for the Program is one week (Monday to Friday), release from school on a continuous basis. This means that not all students will be undertaking work experience at the same time. Students, in consultation with parents, teachers and host employers should negotiate a suitable date. Obviously this will exclude the weeks leading up to major exams. Some students, especially those returning in Year 11 may choose to do their Work Experience after their School Certificate exams in early November.



A major advantage of a continuous program is the flexibility it allows us. Students can select the date that is most suitable to all parties concerned and participate when they are ready.



WHAT IS WORK EXPERIENCE?

Work Experience is a school organised program in which the workplace becomes an extension of the learning environment. It constitutes an important part of the School to Work program which is part of the school curriculum. This program is usually undertaken in Years 9 and 10. This is distinct from Work Placement which is undertaken by senior students as a compulsory part of their HSC Vet subjects.



Work Experience enables students to

* be actively involved in gaining first hand knowledge of the world of work

* helps the student make relevant career choices

* gain valuable job seeking skills and work skills

* develop social and communication skills

* acquire an evaluation and reference which will help the student in the job market



In order to gain full value from Work Experience, students should select a position that is within their capabilities and in which they have an interest. Most host employers are very accommodating to students provided they demonstrate keenness and a willingness to learn.



Students should realise that, in one week, they will not be able to undertake the full range of tasks involved, but may spend much of the time observing. They should use this opportunity to ask questions.



Where possible, students with the help of parents and friends are encouraged to find their own Work Experience. Making contact with employers is a skill all students should develop and networking is the most valuable source of jobs for school leavers. I am happy to assist if necessary and the following organisations will only deal with the career adviser and in very limited numbers.



* Featherdale Wildlife Park(1)

* Taronga Zoo(1)

* Hawkesbury Council

* Blind Dog Association (Glossodia)



Areas where students will experience significant difficulty in finding a placement are welfare, some hospitality areas, design and the performing arts.





SUPERVISION AND CHILD PROTECTION IN WORK EXPERIENCE

At all times the safety of students is of the highest importance to the Department of Education and Training. This means that close and regular communication with parents, host employers and the school is an essential part of the Work Experience process. Before each placement can be approved, important paperwork must be personally completed and signed by all parties involved. Each host employer has to sign child protection statements as well as conduct a compulsory OHS briefing. Therefore Work Experience can only be organised through the Career Adviser who can organise and issue all the necessary and legal paperwork and provide compulsory supervision of the placement.



As this takes considerable time, students are asked to give at least one weeks' notice prior to Work Experience. At no time will a student be given permission to do any work Experience until all the required paperwork has been completed and signed.



The Workcover Act also requires that everyone who works on a building site completes a 6 hour Occupational Health and Safety course. The Act defines a building site as any area where building and construction is taking place and so it includes existing private homes, hospitals and offices. Therefore it covers all building trades. Students doing Work Experience in a factory or workshop are not required to complete this course as it is not considered a building zone. Richmond High offers for a small cost, this OHS course several times a year depending on demand. Students need to book a place when the times are announced.



As part of the Work Experience documentation, parents will be issued with a "Parents and Carers Guide to Workplace Learning", please read this booklet as it contains a lot of valuable information.



If you have any further enquiries about Work Experience, please feel free to contact me at school.



Yours sincerely









Mrs L Woloch

Career Adviser