This document outlines an employer recognition program to reward companies for supporting student development activities. It proposes a points-based system to determine bronze, silver, or gold levels of recognition. Various enrichment activities like work placements, industry talks, and mock interviews are defined and assigned point values. An example calculation shows how a company providing certain activities would qualify for a silver award. Guidelines for implementing work placements are also provided to help employers support these opportunities.

1. EMPLOYER RECOGNITIONREPORT
REWARDS FORPROVIDING PLACEMENTS AND ENRICHMENTACTIVITIES
PRESENTED BY: ALEX HOLLAND
SWINDON COLLEGE
WORK EXPERIENCECOORDINATOR
JULY 9, 2015

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7/9/2015 Employer Recognition Report 1
EMPLOYER RECOGNITION REPORT
SUGGESTION OF REWARDS BY GRADING
Thisreportoutlinesastrategy toensure thatanyprovidersof WorkExperience Placementsor
EnrichmentActivities are acknowledgedfortheircontinuedhardworktodevelopyoungadultsand to
prepare themforwork.
REWARD STRUCTURE
The rewardbracketshownbelow hasbeencreatedbasedonanindividualcompany’scapabilityto
supportthe suggested EnrichmentActivitieslisted.
List of Activities Bronze Silver Gold
Role Model Visits
Mock Interviews
Sector/Industry Talks
CV Workshops
Work Experience Reference
ApplicationWorkshops
“Dragons Den” Events
“Taster” Days
Work Experience Placements
FLOW DIAGRAM
If an employeris unable tosupportthe activitieslistedabove butcansupportcertainindividual
activities,thenthiscriteriawill be usedtocountupwhichtypesof EnrichmentActivitiestheycan
provide andwill be rewardedaccordinglybasedonthe total amount.
For reference,the rewardscheme worksona pointsbasedsystem.Please seebelow asmall breakdown
of eachcriteriaandthe worthof each activity.
Bronze – Each Bronze Accreditationisworth15 points
Silver– Each SilverAccreditationisworth20 points
Gold– Each GoldAccreditationsisworth 25 Points
If an employercanonlysupportone certaincriteriafromeachbracket,thenthe total will be addedup
and putintothe relevantrewardinglist.
In orderforcompaniestonotbe excludedfromthe criteria,mysuggestionisthatthe awardsbe
providedbasedonacalculatedtotal.
Bronze Award – A total of 60 pointsmustbe achievedtobe awardedaBronze Standard
SilverAward – A total of 100 pointsmustbe achievedtobe awardedaSilverStandard
GoldAward – A Total of 150 Pointsmustbe achievedtobe awardedaGoldStandard

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The flow diagramabove directsthe flow of gradingfromBronze,Silver,GoldandPlatinum.
Thisreportis to evidence awayinwhichemployerscanbe rewardedfortheirworkwithinthe
communityandalsoalongside collegesandothereducational establishmentssuchas Jobcentre Plus.
Thisaward scheme will ensure thatemployersengage withlocal educational establishments and
ensure thatstudentscangainvital employabilityskillsidentifiedinthe table below.
Work Experience Placements
"Taster" Days
"Dragon Den" Events
Application Workshops
Work Experience Reference
CV Workshops
Sector/Industry Talks
Mock Interviews
Role Model Visits

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REWARD STRUCTURE EXAMPLE
The example belowoutlineshowanorganisationwillbe gradedbasedupontheirindividual
contribution tostudent’semployabilitydevelopment.
As youcan see above,thiscompanywouldbe awardedthe SilverAwardastheyhave “scored”over
100 Pointsbasedonthe calculationsstatedinthisreport.
Some employersmaywonderwhatthe activities above include andwhattheywillneedtodoto
achieve the rewardingbracket.Below isabreakdownof eachindividual activityandwhatisincluded
duringthese enrichmentevents.
ROLE MODEL VISITS
Role model visitswill allow studentstogainvaluable insightintothe daytodayrunningof a company
intheirchosensector,these visitscanbe upto 2 hoursbasedonthe company’ssize andmanpower.In
the role model visit,itisadvisedthatamemberof managementbe available topresenttostudentsa
short presentationaroundwhatthe companydo,theirethos,the workingdayandhow theycan get
intoindustry.
MOCK INTERVIEWS
Mock interviewsare essentialto providingstudentswith “Real life”interview experience.Many
studentsdonothave anyexperience withinterviewsandagree thatmockinterviewswouldbe highly
beneficial forthem asthiswouldallowthemtopractice interviewswithoutthe stressof areal job
interview. Thisactivitywouldbe bestsuitedwithinanemployer’spremisesasitwill be unknownto
them,andtheywill alsogettosee whatis expectedfromthemwithinthe workplace (Dresscode,
professional appearance etc...).
List of Activities Bronze Silver Gold
Role Model Visits X
Mock Interviews X
Sector/Industry Talks X
CV Workshops
Work Experience Reference
ApplicationWorkshops X
“Dragons Den” Events
“Taster” Days X
Work Experience Placements X
Total : 110 Points

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SECTOR/INDUSTRYTALKS
Sector/Industrytalksare vital toensuringthatstudentsunderstandwhatit’sliketoworkwithintheir
chosenindustry.Manystudentsdonothave the knowledge currentlytoexplainwhattheirindustryis
like andmanyof themdo notunderstandwhatqualificationsare neededandexperience requiredto
gaina job inthat sector.These Sector/Industrytalksshouldbe heldateitherthe School/College and
presentedbyanemployerfromthe chosensector.
CV WORKSHOPS
CV workshopsare extremelyimportanttostudentsasmanyof the currentlydonot have a CV whichis
professional andpresentable.Thisenrichmentactivitywill ensure thatanystudentinvolvedwillgaina
strong,well-written,professional andpresentableCV toallow themto “gettheirfootinthe door”.This
activitywouldbe ideallybasedataSchool/Collegewithrepresentativesfromalocal employer
providingthe information forthe workshop.
WORK EXPERIENCEREFERENCE
Atleast95% of employers lookforreferencesinCVsrelevanttotheirindustry.Manystudentsaged16+
do nothave the requiredreference ontheirCV relatingtotheirjobapplication.Togainthe rewarding
bracket,anemployermustbe willingtobe putdownas a reference onastudent’sCV.
APPLICATION WORKSHOPS
The applicationworkshopactivityishighlybeneficial forboththe employerandthe studentsinvolved.
Froman employer’sperspective,thisallowsthemtosee how theirrecruitmentprocessisimplemented
and where areasforimprovementcanbe found.Fromthe studentsperspectivethisallowsthemto
complete ajobapplicationformcorrectly,andthiswill alsoallowthemto gainhintsandtipson howto
complete ajobapplicationeffective.Thisactivitycaneitherbe basedatthe employer’sworkplace or
withinthe collegeenvironment.
“DRAGONSDEN” EVENTS
“DragonsDen” Eventsare a fantasticwayforlocal and national employerstosee first-handthe Business
ideasthatyoungand talentedindividualspossess.Thisactivityshouldbe ideallybasedata
College/School withamixture of participantstakingplace e.g.4Differentcompaniesprovidinga
BusinessManager/BusinessDeveloper.Eachstudent/individual will have 10minuteswiththe “dragons”,
“TASTER” DAYS
“Taster”Days provide studentswithaunique insightintoaprofessional environment.Thisactivity
shouldbe tailoredtosuitaspecificarea e.g.Studentsona BusinessManagementcourse seeing
SMT/SLT conductdayto day activities,spendingtime withaccounts/payroll etc.Thisactivitywill be
ideallyatanemployer’sworkplacetoprovide the opportunityforstudentstosee how acompanyruns.

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WORK EXPERIENCEPLACEMENTS
A workexperience placementisone of the keycomponentsof anystudent’scollege time.A work
experience placementcanprovide endlessbenefitsforboththe studentandthe employer.Froman
employer’sperspectiveitallowsthemtosee youngandtalentedstudentsandallow themto “trybefore
theybuy”any studentwhowouldsuittheircompany.Below are justafew keybenefitsof takingpartin
a work experience placement.
EmployerBenefits
1. Influencingthe qualityof future employees
2. Developmentof recruitmentchannels
3. Influencingcareerchoices
4. Promotionof vocational qualifications
5. Raisingthe communityprofile
6. Creationof managementdevelopmentopportunities
7. Increasedmotivationof employees
8. Understandingthe currentemploymentmarket
9. Monetary
10. Unionapproval of workplacements
StudentBenefits
1. Practical experienceinthe industrytheywishtoworkin
2. Improvedjobopportunities
3. Experience of teamworkanddevelopmentof interpersonal skills
4. Awarenessof currentdevelopmentsinthe sector
5. Higherchance of employment
6. CV reference
7. Real workingenvironmentexperience
8. Developmentof transferableskills
9. Pre-apprenticeshipopportunitytomake agoodfirstimpression
10. Increase inconfidence andthe developmentof keyemployabilityskills
How long shouldit last?
A workexperience placementshouldlastnolongerthan5 workingdays.The placementhowever
shouldbe flexible tosuitboth the employerandthe student’sneeds.If anemployercanonlycommit
to 2 daysa week,thenspreadthe placementacross6daystotal (3 weeks).
What shouldwe provide?
As an employersupportingworkexperienceplacementyouwill needtoprovide 3keythings.The first
beinga professionalenvironmentforthe studentstoundertake theirplacementin,the secondbeinga
challengingyetfriendlyatmosphere toallow themtogainreal insightintothe workingsideof your
businessandthirdlyyouwillneedto provide asafe workingenvironment.Schoolsandcollegeswill be
requiredtoundertakeabrief Health&Safety,WelfareandRiskAssessmentFormtoensure thattheir

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studentwill be safe whilstoutona workplacement.Asanemployeryouwillundoubtedlyhaveall the
correct Health& Safetylegislationinplace howeverthisisanessential elementtocoverall aspectsof
Insurance sothat anyaccidentsthatmay occur,are well protected.
What happensif the young personwants to leave the placement?
The placementiscompletelymandatory.Thismeansthatyoushouldgetayoungpersonwhois
enthusiastic,wantstobe there andiseagerto learnandmake the mostof the opportunity.However,
sometimesthingsdon’tworkoutasyou or the youngpersonhave imagined, if thisstage occursyou
shouldsitdownwiththe studentandaskthe reasonswhytheyaren’tenjoyingtheirplacement,and
come to a solution.
This award scheme will ensure that employers engage with local educational establishments and
ensure that students can gain vital employability skills identified in the table below.
What employers expect of young people leaving full time education
Knowledge  Qualificationsappropriate to intendedcareerpath and curricular
relevantto the work place.
 Knowledge ofhow a businessworks
 Functional skillsincorporatingcompetencesassociatedwith
Literacy, Numeracyand IT.
Skills  Abilityto construct a suitable C.V.and coveringletteror make an
effective applicationforpostsappliedfor
 Working as a teammember
 Knowinghow and whento ask questions
 Problemidentificationandsolving
 Controlledrisktaking and an understandingofwhen thisis
appropriate
 Communicationskillssuch as telephone skills,Writtenskills,ICT
and etiquette
 Social Skillsand flexibilitytodifferentworksituations
 Enterprise skills
 Technical skills
 ProblemSolving
Attitudes& Values  Enthusiasm and a positive approach
 Motivation
 Positive self-image (Confidence andself-esteem)
 Willingnesstolearn
 Be responsive
 Understandingrolesand responsibilities
 Personal leadership
 Use of initiative
 Resilience tocope with knock backs/failure
 Taking responsibility,accountabilityandlearningfrom mistakes
 Calm underpressure
 Learning self-control

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 Teamwork
Experience  Work Experience
 Saturday Jobs
 Volunteerwork
 Practice Interviews
 Experience learntincollege course
WORK EXPERIENCE STEPS
STEP 1: PLANNINGFORTHE PLACEMENT
Draw upa planwithcolleagues,draftajob descriptionorprojectoutline,have anideaof the
competenciesrequiredforthe position.Placementsvaryinlengthfromone week,one dayperweek,
summerandeasyholidays,orfor6 – 12 monthsas an industrial placementsora vocational elementof
a degree course.
Generallyinterviewandtreatworkplacementstudentsjustasyouwouldanyotheremployee.This
helpsthe studentintegrateandfeelvaluedaspart of the organisationfromdayone.Fromthe
employersperspective,the placementcanbe considersasa “taster”sessiontosupportthe students
employmentpotential;fromthe learnersperspective,theygetaninsightintotheirsuitabilityof working
withyourorganisationandsector.
STEP 2: PLANNINGFORTHE PLACEMENT
Provide the workexperience studentwithaninduction.Make sure thatthe studentisfamiliarwith
companyobjectives,healthandsafetyandkeystaffandhasa clearbrief of all the tasksthat are
expectedof them.
Make sure that theyhave theirownworkspace and accessto everythingtheyneedtocomplete the
tasksyouhave set.Make sure that the goalsand objectivesyousetare realistic,breakingthemdown
intomanageable stepsif theyare complex.Rememberthatthismaywell be the student’sfirsttaste of
a formal workenvironment.
Try to assigna mentoror buddywhocan helpto guide the studentthroughthe placementandwho
can answeranyquestionstheymayhave.Provide progressreviews,andaregularassessmentof the
student’sprogress.Setupopportunitiesforregularfeedback fromthe studenttoo,sothatyoucan iron
out anyproblemsandidentifytrainingneedstomake sure thatyouhave setmovesforward.
STEP 3: PLANNINGFORTHE PLACEMENT
Atthe endof the placement,provide atwo-wayreview of the students’performance.Thiswill ensure
that the studentgetsthe mostoutof the experience andwillallow youtoassessthe impactof the
student’sworkonyourbusinessandevaluate the programmeforthe future.
Staffare encouragedtogive honestandrobustfeedbacktoensure thatanyfailingsinthe processare
highlightedanddealtwithaccordingly.