The document provides guidance on planning for work experience and properly handling information. It discusses questions to consider like what information is needed before starting, such as details on the company and expected attire and hours. It also covers the types of information that may be dealt with, such as client information that must be kept confidential, and company information. Lastly, it recommends ways to record the experience and find more information on careers.

1. Planning for work experience Using information competently

2. Objectives Have basic information about the company my work experience placement is with Know how to get to my placement Understand the value of information to my company/job Be aware of the sensitivity of sharing information Know where to go to find out more about careers/jobs

3. What questions will we answer? What information do I need before I start? What sort of information will I deal with when at work? Sharing my work experiences? Where should I go to find out more about jobs and careers?

4. What information do I need before I start? Who am I working for? What should I wear? What time will I be expected to work? Where am I going? How will I get there?

5. Who am I working for? General details company name location (Where are they? Do they have a main office?) contact name and telephone number Business type Public: school; council; library; museum; hospital; police Private: shop; mechanic’s garage; restaurant; solicitor; electrician Maybe the company has its own website? Check www.yell.com

6. What should I wear? Business environment and job role will dictate attire Where will you be working? Shop Office Sports centre School What will you be doing? Physical work Sport Fixing cars Fitting carpets Clerical

7. What time will I be expected to work? Different businesses have different working hours 9am to 5pm is, generally, normal working hours Businesses have to meet the needs of clients Teachers Nurses Mechanic

8. Where am I going and how will I get there? Plan your journey Bus/train/walk? Time your potential journey, allowing for traffic/delays Do a trial run Use http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ and http://maps.google.co.uk/ to help you plan

9. What sort of information will I deal with when at work? Client information Company information General, task-related information

10. Client information The Data Protection Act dictates that data/information is treated with confidentiality. Telephone numbers Addresses DoBs Financial information (accounts numbers etc.) Sensitive, personal information You must not share client details with other people outside of the organisation, and sometimes with others working with you

11. Client information: Examples Working in a school, you are trusted with confidential information about young people Working for a decorator, you might have information about the client’s valuable possessions in their home

12. Company information You may learn sensitive details about the company you work for Clients Financial/accounts information Employee information Profits

13. General, task-related information Information is vital to effective running of a business People rely on information to fulfil their role/responsibilities The sharing of relevant information is essential for a company to be successful Make sure you pass on information when appropriate If you are not sure… ask!

14. Sharing my work experiences? We like to share our day-to-day experiences, frustrations, successes with friends and family Think about how, in what way, you do this Many of us share information on the internet, through Facebook etc. Think about who can read the information you share online… Do you want people you work with to read your status updates?

15. Privacy settings

16. Recording your success Recording your success will help you reflect on what you have learnt and achieved It will also help you when you come to begin writing your CV How can you do this? Reflective journal Diary Blog Facebook updates

17. Where should I go to find out more about jobs and careers? Library – careers sections School – teachers, careers advisor Internet – websites Connexions – careers service and advisors

18. Exploring careers and jobs What do I need to do to get a job as a … nurse/fireman/lawyer etc. Look at the career paths and plan what you need to achieve Do I need to get specific GCSEs? Is there a particular college course I should do? Do I need to go to university? Should I get an apprenticeship?

19. Useful websites BBC Student Life http://bit.ly/4s8c0y Connexions http://www.connexions-direct.com City and Guilds http://www.cityandguilds.com Need 2 Know http://bit.ly/95rNt6 Careers Box http://www.careersbox.co.uk/