Agenda item

To receive an update on work experience.

(Kaye Saxton-Lea)

The Board heard an update on work experience.

The Board heard that around 65 work experience requests have been received since early 2024 and that work is ongoing to standardise and centralise the collation and allocation process focussing in particular on the needs of the young people taking into account resources, equipment and safeguarding.

The following comments were made:

-        A certification step would be useful and motivating;

-        Flexibility around work experience time spans and time slots would be welcome;

-        All schools within the Family of Schools would benefit from CoLC work experience opportunities;

-        CoLC contractors offering Social Value commitments would benefit from being involved in work experience;

-        There should be an emphasis on co-ordinating the fragmented work experience opportunities and services in the City to minimise any duplication or wastage that could be encapsulated within a City-wide offering based on the proposed Youth Guarantee.

Members noted the publication on 26 November 2024 of the ‘Get Britain Working White Paper’ produced by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Secretary of State for Education that included a commitment to an “expansion of work experience” and a Youth Guarantee.  Members asked that further information be brought to the next Education Board on progress, with numbers of work experience opportunities offered, taken up and successfully concluded alongside targets as the programme rolls out.