The hosting of a student on work experience will contribute to the development of your own staff. It may be the first opportunity that an employee has had to supervise another person in the work place. This experience will raise their own awareness of communication, team work and mentoring skills which, can in turn, help increase an employee’s motivation and job satisfaction. The process of planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of work experience programmes gives employees the opportunity to develop their own coaching and leadership skills.

Young people are a valuable resource and can undertake planned projects that company staff do not have the time to manage. They often bring a fresh approach and a younger perspective to routine tasks and often find new solutions. They also have the time to research alternative approaches to workplace practices.

Working through an induction with a student and risk assessing their activities allows the organisation to review their current systems and reminds staff of the importance of health and safety.

Employers help to improve the quality and preparedness of young people coming into the world of work and build links with local schools which can help to reduce recruitment costs in terms of attracting young people into your company. Work experience provides the opportunity to assess a potential employee over a period of time.

Work experience placements are a great way to raise the profile of a company in the local community creating a positive image amongst young people, teachers, parents and other employers.