Case study: Work experience

Company Sector	Building – Electrical
Number of Employees (0-250)	~80
Location	Brighton
Title of Initiative	Work Experience
Targeted Age Group	KS4
Number of Students Participating (For PDPs – Number of Teachers)	~14

Aims and Objectives

Company

A J Taylor Electrical Contractors

To recognize that young people are the future of the company and thus:

• To provide work experience opportunities

• To demonstrate a pathway to early recruitment

• To give students an awareness of the reality of working as an Electrical Contractor

School(s)

Varndean School, Tideway School, Patcham High School, Peacehaven Community School, Hove Park School, Cardinal Newman School, Portslade Community College, Falmer High School, and Longhill School.

Students will:

• Gain knowledge about what an Electrical Contractor does

• Experience the reality of working as an Electrical Contractor

• Learn about progression routes in this industry, especially apprenticeships

---

Time Invested by the Employer

Substantial.

---

Outline of Activity Undertaken

This company is Brighton based with 60 full time staff and 17 apprentices. The company design, install and maintain electrical systems at both a domestic and commercial level all over Sussex.

As they take health and safety very seriously, students are limited in where they can go and what they can do, e.g. restricted to working on domestic premises, mainly observing work and handing over of tools. Despite these restrictions, feedback from students is extremely positive, and the demand for these quality work experience placements is high.

This year alone they have had 14 students from Brighton, Hove & Lewes schools in on placements, the company prides itself on providing these placements as it recognizes that young people are the future for the company.

---

Results of Evaluation to meet Aims and Objectives

The evaluation was done through a series of informal discussions with the employer, with a student during their placement and with other students via school staff.

Outcomes

• Students have a clearer understanding of what this profession entails

• Early recruitment opportunities are highlighted for both the student and the company

• Development for current company employees in terms of the supervising and the training of young people

---

Conclusions

Work experience is generally “sold” to employers by emphasising that placements provide many opportunities and benefits for both employers and young people. Examples for employers include staff development, creating a skilled workforce, and future recruitment. However, for many employers, these opportunities and benefits are not seen as really tangible. A small or medium sized company may feel that their output in terms of time and money is not being returned in the form of benefits or opportunities. This case study provides concrete evidence that if an employer puts the effort in, there really is a payback.

Out of the company’s fourteen apprentices, four are students who were asked to join the company as a result of their work placements with the company. In addition to this, a student from an extended placement this year has been asked to join the company as an apprentice when he has finished school (subject to his results).

The company feel that in general, their staff have improved their management and training skills, work better with the general public and have a more enthusiastic approach to their work as a result of their interaction with students on work experience.

---

Future Plans

The company plan to continue offering as many work experience placements as is feasible to local students, including students on the Young Apprentice in Construction Pilot Scheme.

---

Visual evidence available:
None