Bristol pupils could lose out as government proposes to scrap work experience

The government is currently consulting on whether or not the two-week work experience placements, undertaken by almost all GCSE pupils in Bristol and the Uk, should remain. But parents and pupils in Redland have joined national organisations in condemning the proposed move. 

The Forum of Private Business, a not-for-profit organisation, told the Department for Education that doing away with compulsory work experience would further reduce the number of work-ready youngsters entering the job market. The Forum says that far from removing the current provision, the Government should be looking at expanding work experience placements to further ready youngsters on the brink of starting their working lives.

Jane Bennett, Head of Campaigns for The Forum, said: "We believe work experience is vital in helping to prepare young people for the world of work. There's no better place than a proper working environment to test out a career choice, and it's also by far the best arena for young adults to learn the skills so critical to success. 

"Our training and skills panel research shows our members already believe young people in the UK are largely unprepared for the workplace. New starters frequently arrive with few or no basic skills, and need guidance on even simple things such as appropriate dress code and punctuality – the very basics of a work ethic.

"Our research with businesses also identifies poor attitude as a common problem. Class hours and a lenient view of absence during their schooling often means many new starters are unwilling to work unsocial hours, get up early, or even make it in on time. Owners have also cited instances of new recruits refusing to carry out menial tasks they considered beneath them.

She added: "Quite frankly, we need more work experience, not less, to help break down these types of immature mindsets and attitudes. Work-linked learning can also be extraordinarily powerful in engaging students who are bored or turned off by conventional classroom teaching. It's hard to see how any plan to reduce work experience for school pupils fits with Government's pledge to significantly increase the number of apprenticeships."

Currently, thousands of Redland pupils head into the workplace for two weeks every year to experience working life first hand. It has also helped school leavers secure employment, in a climate where paid work is much harder to come by.

Helen Penfold, from Redland, has a 13 year old son at senior school and fully supports work experience. She said: "I did work experience at a law firm and it helped me decide what career I wanted. I'm certain it helped me get jobs in the future and I want my son to benefit from that too."

Her son added: "School can teach you some stuff but if you want to go to work you want to know what it's like and with all the homework and things and laws so you can't work until your 16 we need work experience like this."

So what do you think? Should the government do away with work experience placements? Are they just an excuse for kids to get two weeks off school and do they burden businesses? Or are they vital for young people today? Should work experience actually be expanded for school pupils? Perhaps made an annual thing for 14-16 year olds?