Work Experience UK Work Placement Providers

Work Experience UK works with a wide range of organisations from across Europe, including Universities and Academies, Vocational Colleges to organise, manage, administer and evaluate work experience, internship and work placement programmes.

The idea behind these schemes is to give students an opportunity to put into practice the lessons learnt whilst studying within a normal commercial environment, whilst at the same time enabling them to gain experience appropriate for their future careers.

With regard to the students that come to the UK from other countries in the European Union, they also wish to learn more about the British way of doing things and to develop their English language skills.

The following questions represent the main and most common questions asked of us by the companies that provide Work Placements:

What Benefit will my company get out of employing a Work Experience student?
Hosting an international student in your organisation can bring many soft and hard benefits to your organisation.

Probably the most obvious one is that it gives you access to a skilled and motivated young person that can undertake a project for you which will contribute to the development of your business; perhaps the research you have been meaning to do but simply have not had the time or person to do it.

Having an international student as part of your team will also bring a European dimension to your company activities, helping you to find out about cultural differences from a business point of view and give you access to different languages, which may help with export development.

How much will it cost me?
There are two basic schemes that we run:

Work Experience and Internship Programmes - There is NO cost to you where the students works in your company as part of one of these programmes! They receive no pay and you do not have to pay any national insurance.
Whilst you are under no obligation to pay students in the UK on these programmes, many companies do in fact pay the student a small amount of pocket money, perhaps to cover bus fares, or the odd beer. This is entirely up to you.
Paid Work Placement Programmes - These programmes are only available in specific sectors, including the hotel and catering industry working as bar staff, waiters, waitresses and room attendants etc. Other trades that are also covered by this programme include Class 1, 2 and 3 drivers.
Students in the UK as part of one of these programmes generally receive the UK national minimum wage, and will work for at least 37.5 hours per week.

What is their status when they are working in my company?
For the duration of their placement, the student should be considered as a full member of your team. They will be bound by the same terms and conditions (hours of work, discipline etc) and be expected to work as directed by your management team.

Are they insured?
Yes. When they arrive in the UK, they will have their own medical and health insurance, and whilst working within your company, they will be covered by the various statutory insurances you will have in place,

Where will they live?
All students have their accommodation organisaed by Work Experience UK. The majority will be living with English families, and some may be staying in self catering accommodation.

What if they have a problem while they are living in the UK?
Should the student have a problem whilst in the UK, the Work Experience UK team will work with the student to overcome it. We have a dedicated team of accommodation officers, work placement officers and welfare officers all trained tsolve whatever problem arises.

What sort of projoect do they need to do?
On the whole, the students do not need any specific project to undertake. Their primary objective is to gain experience in a British company, and want to contribute to your business in whatever way they can.

Where do the students come from?
We only work with students from the European Union.

What about their English. How good is it?
The standard of English amongst the students that come to the UK is generally very good. The main issue is one of confidence. Learning English in a classroom and using it in a day to day situation is very different. It normally takes the students a week to gain confidence, and after this, you will not see it as an issue.

How do they get funded?
Students that come to the UK get funding from a number of different sources, including the European Commission, their University, Academy or College, their local government and their parents. It is because of this funding that they are able to live in the UK and work for you without being a drain on your financial resources.

How do I get one of these Students?
If you would like to learn more or to have a student placed in your company, please contact our office and we will be only too happy to give you whatever information we can.

Comments made at a recent Institute of Personnel and Development Conference about Work Experience:
‘Target work experience students’ NCWE director tells employers at cipd conference.

"Many employers are missing a trick by overlooking the benefits a work placement student can bring to their companies. A student on placement can be seen as an extended interview, thereby saving on recruitment costs; they come with a fresh set of eyes to help problem solving; often bring new and innovative thinking from their university studies; and can help develop new ideas put on the back burner for want of qualified personnel."

Speaking at the CIPD Conference in Harrogate recently, Liz Rhodes, Director of the National Council for Work Experience, told delegates that whilst many employers are reaping the benefits, others are closing their eyes to advantages that work placements can bring.