Work Experience Best Practice
How to run meaningful work experience placements that genuinely benefit students — not just making tea and photocopying.
Good work experience doesn't happen by accident. It requires planning to ensure students have a valuable, varied experience.
Before the student arrives
- Identify tasks and projects: What could a student realistically do or observe?
- Talk to teams: Which departments could host the student for a few hours?
- Prepare materials: Information about your company, relevant documents to read
- Set up logistics: Desk, computer access (if needed), visitor badge, parking
- Brief your team: Let everyone know a student will be there
Key principles
Variety
Expose students to different departments, roles, and types of work
Balance
Mix observation with hands-on tasks
Progression
Start simple, build to more complex tasks
Realism
Show the reality of work, including the mundane bits
A structured timetable helps both you and the student know what to expect.
Example 5-day placement
| Day | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Welcome & induction, tour, meet the team | Introduction to first department, observation |
| Tuesday | Shadowing team member, hands-on task | Different department rotation |
| Wednesday | Project work, attending a meeting | Skills session (e.g., presentation skills) |
| Thursday | Another department, hands-on task | Customer/client-facing experience |
| Friday | Complete project, prepare presentation | Present to team, feedback, certificate |
Building in variety
Every student should have a named person responsible for them.
- Primary point of contact for the student
- Checking in regularly (start and end of each day)
- Answering questions and providing guidance
- Ensuring the student has something to do
- Providing feedback on tasks
- Dealing with any issues that arise
- Someone who enjoys working with young people
- Patient and good at explaining things
- Available throughout the placement
- Been in the industry a while and can share experiences
First impressions matter. A proper induction sets the tone for the week.
Health & safety
- Fire evacuation procedures
- First aid locations
- Specific hazards
- Reporting accidents
Practical info
- Working hours and breaks
- Where to put belongings
- Lunch arrangements
- Who to contact if ill
Expectations
- What you expect from them
- What they can expect
- Confidentiality rules
- How to raise concerns
Welcome
- Tour of the workplace
- Introduction to key people
- Overview of the week
- Time for questions
The difference between good and bad work experience often comes down to the tasks.
- Contributing to a real project (with supervision)
- Creating something tangible (report, design)
- Attending meetings and discussions
- Shadowing different roles
- Research or analysis that's actually useful
- Customer or client interaction (where appropriate)
- Hours of filing or photocopying
- Sitting alone with nothing to do
- Tasks that feel pointless or made-up
- Being left in a corner and forgotten
Regular feedback helps students learn and improves their experience.
Daily check-ins
- How did today go?
- What did you find interesting?
- Anything you're unsure about?
- What are you looking forward to tomorrow?
Task feedback
- Be specific — "good job" is nice but details are more useful
- Balance positive with constructive
- Explain why things matter in real work
Encourage questions
- Create a culture where questions are welcome
- There are no stupid questions
- Questions show engagement
A proper ending helps cement what students have learned.
Final feedback session
- What went well?
- Skills developed
- Areas for development
- Would this career suit them?
Written reference
- Tasks completed
- Skills demonstrated
- Attendance and punctuality
- Attitude and engagement
Certificate
A certificate of completion is a nice touch. Students can use it for CVs and university applications.
Make sure you're properly covered.
Legal requirement if you employ anyone (including work experience students). Check your policy covers work experience placements.
Covers injury to visitors on your premises. Important if students will be in areas with hazards.
Complete a risk assessment for work experience placements. Consider hazards specific to young or inexperienced workers.
Schools are trusting you with their students. Here's what they expect:
- The student doesn't turn up or is persistently late
- There are behaviour issues
- The student is struggling or unhappy
- You have any safeguarding concerns
- The student is doing something exceptional!
Create a professional, structured schedule in minutes. Get started here.