Employers are to be urged to sign-up to a work experience charter to improve the standard of placements for students at a meeting organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).
The Skills Business Group of the CWLEP is holding a free breakfast event for employers and training providers at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College in Hinckley Road, Nuneaton, on Wednesday, September 17.
CWLEP has joined forces with Fair Train – who accredit organisations with a quality standard for their work experience schemes – to show how work experience, traineeships and apprenticeships can improve organisations.
Marion Plant, principal at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College and South Leicestershire College, and Stephen Gardner, chief executive of Fair Train, will be the guest speakers at the event which runs between 8am and 9.30am.
Rachael Stewart, of the CWLEP, said the LEP’s skills strategy supports the national Fair Train Quality Standard for Work Experience which has been developed with help from various organisations including Ofsted and the Department for Education.
She said: “Well planned work experience is really beneficial to students in helping them find and enjoy a career.
“Whether work placements are chosen to discover if a certain career suits their needs or to gain skills and knowledge to support job applications, time spent gaining good quality work experience is extremely valuable.
“This free event will show how work experience, apprenticeships and traineeships can make a big difference to organisations on various levels.
“Employers who are committed to providing high-quality work experience will reap the benefits because it is a perfect opportunity for students to showcase their skills which may be beneficial in future years to the company once they have completed their studies.
“It gives businesses the opportunity to recruit the best talent as well as gives extra responsibility to staff to improve their management skills and young people often have great, creative talent which could prove beneficial.
“Fair Train’s Work Experience Quality Standard helps companies put a framework in place which ensures their work experience is very good quality while training providers will be supported in forming sustainable links.
“The CWLEP recommends that all organisations in Coventry and Warwickshire work towards the Fair Train Quality Standard and more information about taking the next step will be available at the breakfast meeting.”