Learn about Initiatives for Transition into Adult Life
Work Experience
Pupils approaching the end of compulsory education are expected to undertake one week of work experience as part of their education.
The week of work experience can take place between 1 May in the pupil’s third year and the end of the pupil’s fourth year. As a general rule, pupils from some schools do work experience in the summer term of their third year and pupils from the remaining schools do work experience in the first term of fourth year.
Pupils in sixth year may also do work experience if they wish. This usually takes place after the October holidays and before Christmas, but may also take place in January.
Some pupils with additional support needs may also do work experience. Normally, the work experience is done on one day or a half day per week for one or two terms. If the pupil has an Auxiliary assigned to them, then the Auxiliary will accompany the pupil at all times.
The Work Experience Organiser contacts employers to ask if they are willing to take pupils on work experience and also carries out a Health, Safety and Insurance check.
Pupils, or their parents may also approach an employer if they wish. If such an employer is willing to have the pupil, then the work experience organiser will carry out the required Health, Safety and Insurance check.
Legislation does not permit pupils to do work experience in a business that is run by a sole trader.
Pupils should be discouraged from choosing placements where a parent or other close relative works and should not be allowed to do work experience in a business where they already have a Saturday or holiday job.
No payment should be made to pupils on work experience, but travel expenses by public transport will be reimbursed.
For more information please contact:
Emily Van Tonder
Work Experience Organiser
Telephone: 01595 744760
e-mail: emily.vantonder@shetland.gov.uk