Useful information
This page contains an initial list of downloadable documents, plus a myth-busting guide, which users may find helpful. Suggestions for further documents for inclusion are welcome. Suggestions should be mailed to feedback@educationandemployers.org.
Downloadable documents
Throughout the Employers' Guide, there are links to useful documents that can be downloaded and used by employers and their employees. This page brings all these documents together in one easy-to-find place. It also contains headines from the DCSF myth busting guide taken from The Work-Related Learning Guide (Second Edition).
- Academies Evaluation, Fifth Annual Report, Pricewaterhouse Coopers 2008 (PDF): An independent, longitudinal evaluation of academies over a five-year period.
- Building Stronger Partnerships: Employers: How You Can Support Schools, Colleges, Children and Families, Department for Children, Schools and Families 2008 (PDF): Sets out the opportunities available for employers to get involved with schools and colleges.
- Business Class Handbook, Business in the Community (PDF): The handbook will guide employers through the process of establishing and building successful education-employer partnerships.
- The Diploma: Bringing learning to life, Department for Children, Schools and Families 2008 (PDF): Information on the Diploma - what they are and how employers can get involved.
- Extended project: challenging level 3 students, Department for Children, Schools and Families (PDF): More information about this qualification, which is available to 16 to 19 year olds.
- Sponsorship Guide: Establishing an Academy - An overview for sponsors,Department for Children, Schools and Families (Word doc): A document that attempts to lead employers through the key phases of establishing an academy in existing school buildings (where available), while waiting for the academy's new or refurbished buildings.
- Time well spent: Embedding employability in work experience,Confederation of British Industry (CBI) 2007 (PDF): A report that sets out the CBI's vision for how employers, students and schools can work together so that students can achieve the basic skills ('employability skills') that are relevant to the world of work. The central theme is the need to put these skills centre stage when shaping work experience programmes.
- Work Experience and how employers can get involved, Department for Children, Schools and Families (2008), helps employers understand work experience and its requirements, who can help get them involved and deals with typical questions on such issues as insurance and CRB checks.
- The Work-Related Learning Guide (Second Edition), Department for Children, Schools and Families 2009 (PDF): Explains what work-related learning is, who is involved in making it happen, how to get the best out of it, how young people are kept safe while they are doing it, and where to find further information, help and support.
Myth-busting guide
Myth: Work experience doesn't make a difference.
Fact: Yes it does. For example, the CBI Report 'Time well spent' referred to a 2006 survey of 14-16 year-olds who had recently been on work experience. It said that over two-thirds of respondents agreed, or strongly agreed, that work experience had helped them to understand how learning at school is important in getting a job. Almost 80% agreed it had given them a good insight into the world of work.
Myth: The statutory work-related learning requirement at Key Stage 4 is for two weeks' work experience.
Fact: This is not true. Work-related learning programmes provided by schools and colleges can include a wide range of activities. These programmes may link to the QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority: the body that maintains and develops the National Curriculum) framework on economic wellbeing 11-19: career, work-related learning and enterprise. However, there is a requirement for Diploma students to take part in a minimum of ten days' work experience.
Myth: Young people under 16 can't do placements in industry or some sectors for health and safety reasons.
Fact: This is not true. However, a risk assessment must be carried out to identify any significant increase in risk to the health, safety and welfare of a young person on a work placement, and appropriate measures put in place. Where the risk to the young person cannot be managed and controlled to an acceptable level and the placement cannot take place, an alternative placement may be found.
Myth: Each member of an employer's staff who is involved in work experience has to have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
Fact: This is not true. CRB checks are only needed in certain situations.
Myth: Young people with special educational needs and/or disability can't take part in work-related learning.
Fact: Like all students, it is important for young people with special educational needs and/or disability to take part in high quality placements that help them to develop employability skills and explore their career choices. Some young people may need adjustments in the workplace to take part, but these will generally cost little or nothing to make and the benefits and rewards outweigh any additional effort required.
Myth: Work-related learning only happens in the secondary sector and not in the primary sector.
Fact: No. It is a statutory requirement at Key Stage 4 but many primary schools provide activities that relate to work-related learning, such as visits to local employers and talks in local schools.
Myth: Work-related learning is very time consuming and onerous for employers.
Fact: It doesn't need to be. There is a broad range of work-related learning options to help the development of young people. They can involve different kinds and levels of commitment - employers who are interested in getting involved can choose from a range of options, and support is available from Education Business Partnership Organisations to minimise any bureaucracy and ensure quality.
Myth: Other forms of work-related learning, for example a presentation from an employer, can count towards the work experience requirement within Diplomas.
Fact: This is not true. Young people must take part in a minimum of ten days' work experience to complete their Diploma. This minimum work experience requirement for Diplomas should ideally be supported by other forms of work-related learning.
Myth: Insurance is expensive.
Fact: That isn't necessarily the case as most employers will already have insurance policies in place that cover most risks arising from work experience and other visits, provided that the work experience is in accordance with the normal business practices of the employer.
Myth-busting guide taken from The Work-Related Learning Guide (Second Edition)