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Work experience plan

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Our Work Experience Plan Template streamlines the process, ensuring a well-structured and organised work experience program for students.

Optimise student learning with our comprehensive 1-2 week work experience plan template including structured activities, mentorship, and hands-on projects for an impactful experience.

Reading time
How long to understand and implement this template?
10 mins
Word count
How many words in this template?
520
We also have budget-friendly bundles featuring this template:

What is a Work experience plan?

The purpose of a work experience plan for a student spending 1 or 2 weeks with an employer is to provide the student with a structured and meaningful learning experience in a professional work environment. The plan aims to achieve the following objectives:

  1. Exposure: Introduce the student to the company, its operations, and its culture. This helps the student gain a broader understanding of the industry and the specific organization they are working with.

  2. Learning: Provide opportunities for the student to learn about different job roles, tasks, and responsibilities within the company. This allows them to explore their interests, develop new skills, and gain practical knowledge related to their chosen field.

  3. Hands-on Experience: Engage the student in hands-on activities and projects to apply their learning, foster a sense of responsibility, and develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

  4. Networking: Facilitate interactions with professionals from various departments, enabling the student to build a professional network and gain insights from experienced employees.

  5. Reflection and Feedback: Encourage the student to reflect on their experiences, document their learnings, and seek feedback from mentors and supervisors. This helps in identifying areas of improvement and enhances their personal and professional growth.

Overall, the purpose of the work experience plan is to provide the student with a valuable opportunity to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world work environments, preparing them for future employment and helping them make informed career choices.

Best practice timescale for this to be issued
When should this template be issued?
Ideally, prior to the work experience period, but no later than day 1
Issued by who, to whom
Who should issue this template, and to whom?
The Employer (you) to the Candidate
Applicable legal jurisdictions
In which jurisdictions can this template be used?
Great Britain & NI (United Kingdom), Worldwide

What legislation and best practice guidelines have been taken into account in the development of this template?

United Kingdom

  • Employment Rights Act 1996: Provides various rights, such as minimum wage, working time regulations, and notice periods.

  • Equality Act 2010: Prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics, including age, race, gender, and disability.

  • Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974: Ensures the health, safety, and welfare of employees and visitors in the workplace.

  • Data Protection Act 2018: Regulates the processing of personal data, ensuring privacy and security for work experience candidates.

  • National Minimum Wage Act 1998: Sets the minimum wage that must be paid to work experience participants, if applicable.

  • Safeguarding legislation: Ensures the protection and welfare of young individuals during their work experience placements.


Other territories

Consult your jurisdiction's employment legislation or labor laws to ensure compliance with the template. Review the language for local precision.

Work experience plan

Week 1

Day Task
1
  • Introduction to the company: Provide an overview of the company's history, values, and organisational structure.
  • Tour of the workplace: Show the student around the office or workplace, introducing them to various departments and key personnel.
  • Introduction to the team: Allow the student to meet and interact with team members and understand their roles and responsibilities.
2
  • Shadowing: Assign a mentor or supervisor to the student, who will guide them through their daily activities and provide insights into the job roles and tasks.
  • Job-specific training: Provide basic training related to the specific department or role the student will be working in.
  • Familiarisation with tools and software: Introduce the student to any relevant tools, software, or equipment used in the workplace.
3
  • Hands-on experience: Assign the student simple tasks or projects that align with their interests and capabilities, providing them with an opportunity to actively contribute and learn.
  • Regular check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins with the mentor or supervisor to address any questions or concerns the student may have.
4
  • Job rotation: Allow the student to spend some time with a different department or team to gain exposure to different aspects of the company's operations.
  • Networking opportunities: Arrange informal meetings with employees from various departments to expand the student's professional network and provide a broader understanding of the company.
5
  • Project work: Assign the student a small project or task that they can complete within the week, giving them a sense of ownership and accomplishment.
  • Final feedback session: Conduct a feedback session with the student to discuss their experience so far, provide constructive feedback, and address any areas of improvement.

Week 2 (optional, for a 2-week program)

Day Task
6-9
  • Continuation of the activities from Week 1, but with more advanced tasks and responsibilities.
  • Encourage the student to take on more challenging assignments and provide them with additional learning opportunities.
10
  • Final project or presentation: Have the student work on a final project or presentation that showcases their learning and accomplishments during their time with the company.
  • Q&A session: Allow the student to present their project or findings to a wider audience and engage in a Q&A session to further enhance their communication and presentation skills.
11-14 (optional, for a 2-week program)
  • Provide additional opportunities for the student to collaborate with different teams, attend meetings, or participate in special projects to gain a deeper understanding of the company's operations.

Throughout the program

  • Encourage the student to maintain a journal or reflection log to document their experiences, lessons learned, and any questions they may have for further discussion.
  • Organise periodic feedback sessions to address any concerns, provide guidance, and evaluate the student's progress.

This is a preview. Access to the remainder requires a purchase.

In which communication or process sequence does this template belong?

Previous step
Letters
Offer of work experience or internship letter template

This letter is used where the Company wishes to offer unpaid work, detailing the job title and start date.

This step
Work experience plan template
work experience plan