Recession hits work experience

Schoolchildren are struggling to secure work experience placements because of the recession. In some cases there is such a short supply of companies offering placements that Year 10 pupils have not been able to take part in work experience this year.

Schools across Sussex have reported difficulties this year. At Willingdon Community School in Eastbourne, only 70% of pupils have managed to secure a July placement.

Headteacher Ian Jungius said: “We’re finding people who previously said yes to placements are now saying they can no longer do it, as they don’t have the staff to support it.The main issue seems to be that many have cut down on staff so can’t afford to have someone looking after a student.”

Heather Collier, director of the National Council for Work Experience, said all age groups are having difficulties finding work experience. She said: “I think it definitely is to do with the recession. With a lot of companies making redundancies, even though these placements wouldn’t be paid, managers will have a lot more on their mind and perhaps this has gone to the bottom of the priority list.”

The Directors of my-work-experience have noticed an increasing problem in the supply of suitable work experience placements in recent years and attribute it partly to the ever growing demand on employers for placements to support a widening use of the workplace for training and development

However we also agree with Heather that the recession has exacerbated the problems of availability and this will have a seriously negative effect on the government’s plans for the development of the new Diplomas.

Use the website feedback form to let us know what problems you have experienced and how you think the situation can be improved.