Benefits
Work Experience placements assist students in their transition from school to work and aim to:
Provide students with an opportunity to relate school studies with a workplace
Give students an insight into the diversity of employees in the workplace
Prepare students for the demands and expectations of the working world
Help students make informed career decisions by assessing their aptitudes and interests, and exploring potential careers
Improve students’ maturity, confidence and self reliance
Provide a link between school and local community
Provide students with appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes concerning both paid and unpaid work
Types of Work Experience
There are two types of work experience offered by the College.
Ongoing Work Experience
Work experience that we will set all year round for senior students. It can be for a one off placement, or for one day a week for a period of approximately 2 to 4 weeks depending on the needs of those involved.
Work Experience Application Form.doc
Work Experience Program (WEP):
The WEP is a block week of work experience offered to our Year 11 students in the last week of term 2 just prior to the school holidays.
The Program provides an opportunity for our students to get an insight into life beyond school. This assists students when making decisions about possible future career choices and study pathways.
The attached letter provides more information about the Program.
Year 10 Work Experience Letter 2017.pdf
Arranging a Placement
It is important that a student (with support from a parent/carer) secure their own placement, where possible.
Students gain experience from this, which builds confidence as it is similar to applying for a job.
The employer will want to speak to the student over the phone, or possibly meet them. This helps the work experience provider discover:
what the student aspires to be
what they hope to gain from the experience
what specific part of the business is the students key area of interest
how much experience they have (if any)
Hours of work
While it is optimum for the student to experience what it would be like to work in a full time capacity, sometimes this is not convenient for either party. Work hours need to be discussed; this is negotiable between the student and the provider.
The student should discuss transport possibilities to and from the placement with a parent/carer prior to contact with a possible work experience provider and then the student can advise the available hours they have for the placement.
Work Experience Agreement
If the provider approves the placement then the Work Experience Application Form needs to be completed so that a Work Experience Agreement can be prepared.
All work experience requires a Work Experience Agreement (WEA) so that the school can provide insurance coverage for the student while on the placement, this can be requested through Terri Webster Terri.Webster@marymount.qld.edu.au ph: 5586 1073.
Helpful Tip
When procuring a work experience provider ALWAYS think of family and friends first that may be working in or associated with an occupation of the student's interest. Family and friends are always keen to maximise the opportunities to provide the best possible experience.
It is sometimes difficult for a student to picture what occupation. Focus on something associated with a subject that is the most stimulating at school e.g; Science - they could be working in a laboratory formulating beauty products or (as in one case two years ago) where a student worked with a Professor on stem cell research.
Also, and most importantly, if you are needing guidance or are experiencing difficulty with trying to find a placement please contact: Terri Webster Terri.Webster@marymount.qld.edu.au ph: 5586 1073.
