Work experience is a government scheme offered to school students in Year 10 or above. The student has a placement at an employer's premises. They carry out particular tasks or duties, more or less as would an employee. The emphasis is on the learning aspects of the experience.
The experience involves taking on the role of a young worker. Students engage in work tasks while using and developing work skills. They are involved in work processes and experience work environments.
Work experience placements for 2024-2025
Below you will find an alphabetical list for information on available work experience placements.
Please use the appropriate links to:
- download further information about the placement
- apply for the placement
| Company | Job opportunities available |
| BF Adventure | Assistant instructor |
| Devon and Cornwall Police - Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly | |
| Eden Project | Eden has many exciting work experience placements available. They will give you a fantastic insight into life at Eden |
| Exeter University (Penryn Campus) | Work Experience at Exeter University, Cornwall (Penryn Campus) - Application 2024/2025 |
| RNAS Culdrose | Due to operational commitments the team at Culdrose are unable to run a work experience programme in 2025 |
| Software Cornwall |
Placements for software engineering and software development |
Information for Employers
There are two ways work experience can be set up for a student:
-
Block work experience
Block Work Experience is when a whole year group is given the opportunity to spend one or two weeks in a work placement. -
Extended work experience
Extended Work Experience is when a student spends one or two days a week in a placement over an extended period of time. This is usually used by a student who is working towards a qualification of some sort.
Providing a placement
If you would like to provide a work experience placement please contact the Cornwall Education Business Partnership team using the contact details on this page.
General information
Insurance and work experience
You may have been told by your insurer that you cannot have anyone under the age of 16 in your workplace. This may be right if you were "employing" the person but for Work Experience this does not apply. Work Experience is a special case as it is a government scheme and if you contact your insurance company, not your Insurance Broker, and tell them you are taking a student on Work Experience then there will be no extra cost and they will be covered. This has been agreed with all the Insurance Trade Organisations and the document below from the ABI confirms this.
If your insurance company does refuse or charge you then please let us know and we will contact the ABI and the Government department (DCSF) who set up Work Experience.
Further information is available via the link below:
Employers should be aware that the restrictions and legislation around work experience and child employment differ.
Further information is available via the link below:
What environments are prohibited?
The list of prohibited environments under the scheme is: Scrap Yards, Recycling Centres, Tattoo Parlours and working at heights on board registered vessels/boat/ships.
What insurance levels are required?
The insurance level requirement is Employers and Public Liability.
If I am closed one day or an emergency crops up and I have no supervision arrangements then where should the student go?
They should go back to school if it is during school hours.
Are students allowed to travel with employers e.g. by car when visiting clients?
Yes, provided the employer has Business Vehicle Insurance cover. Please note that the school may also ask for a DBS check.
Can the student work shift hours?
Yes, provided the parents give consent and the student does not work more than 40 hours during the placement week.
Are students allowed to use their mobile phone during the placement?
The same rules will apply to the student as for any of your employees.
Can a student drive a vehicle e.g. a tractor or quad bike?
No, they are not allowed to operate any vehicles during placement hours.
What do I do if the student does not turn up for their placement?
Contact the school or the parents immediately.
Useful guidelines
- There is a Child Protection | Statement of Principles which will help you work with any young people in or out of the workplace.
- A Health and Safety Induction Guidelines for Placement Providers can be used for a student on their first morning which is very important.
- Here is a List of Prohibited Equipment and Machinery that should be used for your work experience pupil.
- Guidelines for Supervising a Student on Work Experience
Information for Parents
There are two ways work experience can be set up:
- Block work experience
Block Work Experience is when a whole year group is given the opportunity to spend one or two weeks in a work placement.
- Extended work experience
Extended Work Experience is where a student will spend one or two days a week in a placement over an extended period of time. This is usually used by a student who is working towards a qualification.
Finding a placement
Each school has a list of placements that students have used in the past and the Work Experience Co-ordinator can help your son/daughter to use this list.
In addition, the co-ordinator can provide you with an information leaflet for parents/carers which details all you need to know about a work experience placement.
The work experience logbook
Your son or daughter will also be given a work experience logbook which they will get from the Work Experience Co-ordinator in school. This must be completed during their placement to support the experience.
Information for Students
There are two ways work experience can be set up:
- Block work experience
Block work experience is when a whole year group is given the opportunity to spend one or two weeks in a work placement.
- Extended work experience
"Extended" Work Experience is where a student will spend one or two days a week in a placement over an extended period of time. This is usually used by a student who is working towards a qualification of some sort.
Find a placement
Each school has a list of available placements that students have used in the past and the Work Experience Co-ordinator can help you to use this list.
Investigating different jobs and careers that interest you is a good place to start.
You can also explore jobs using the UCAS website, to help you find ideas that match subjects you enjoy or skills you have.
Once you have completed your research, your Work Experience Co-ordinator will have some ideas on local organisations that offer similar opportunities.
How to apply
You can either write a letter to, telephone or visit the employer you want to ask for a placement. You must prepare carefully for each one and your form or group tutor at school can help you with this.
General information
We have provided a parent/carer information leaflet available from your school work experience co-ordinator. This leaflet details all you need to know about a work experience placement.
There are laws and regulations outlining what young people cannot do on work experience and this information is included in the leaflet.
You must have a work experience logbook which you will get from the work experience Co-ordinator in school. This must be completed and your teachers will help you with this.
Useful documents
When can I apply for Work Experience?
You can apply shortly after the start of Year 10 (September)
What environments are prohibited?
The list of prohibited environments under the scheme is: Scrap Yards, Recycling Centres and Tattoo Parlours, working at heights on board registered vessels/boat/ships.
What insurance levels are required?
The insurance level requirement is Employers and Public Liability.
Can I work with my family business/member?
You can work with a family business or with a member of your family providing they have the relevant insurance levels (Employers and Public Liability Insurance).
Can I work in another County?
You can work out of county if you have contacts and a health and safety check is completed by the relevant authority as long as within England and Wales.
Will I receive payment for the week’s work?
You will not receive payment for a work experience placement.
What is the dress code for work experience?
The dress code depends on where the placement is. If you need personal protective equipment this is supplied by the employer except for safety footwear.
Can I do Work Experience where I have a part time job?
You may undertake work experience where you have a part time job subject to the relevant health and safety checks. It is preferred however that students gain a new workplace experience.
Do I have to do Work Experience?
We encourage work experience wherever possible. If you do not have a placement you will be expected to attend school for the duration of the week.
Why is the school’s deadline for returning paperwork so far ahead of the placement week?
The timescales are set to enable the relevant checks and arrangements to be made before your placement.
What is the procedure if I am sick?
If you are sick during your work experience placement, you should inform the school and your employer immediately.
How will I get to my placement?
You will be expected to make your own arrangements to travel to and from your placement.
My employer is closed one day during the week i.e. hairdressers. Where do I go on that day?
You should go to school unless the school tells you otherwise.