Work Experience with The Change Consortium

At TCC we want to help and support young people who are looking for work.  We are committed to engaging with our community and developing local talent and skills.  Through our work experience placements we aim to provide young jobseekers with a positive experience of the working world.

We understand that for some young people a lack of understanding of the working world is a significant barrier to finding and sustaining employment.  We work with Jobcentre Plus to offer young jobseekers the opportunity to overcome this barrier through our work experience placements.  For those who lack experience, the chance to undertake real work and adjust to the routines and habits of working life can significantly improve their employment prospects.

There is a strong social case too.  We know that an extended period of unemployment, if experienced at an early age, can affect future employment prospects and lead to disadvantages, such as ill-health and poverty.  The cost to society of this, both financially and socially, is huge.  It is vital that Government, business and voluntary and community sector organisations work together to support young people, especially those struggling to make the transition from school to work, to prepare for, find and sustain employment.

What is Work Experience?

Work experience enables young, unemployed people to volunteer for placements with TCC lasting between two and eight weeks.  Through Jobcentre Plus volunteers are matched with a TCC work experience placement and complete a light touch selection process.  Jobcentre Plus continue to pay participants’ benefits and also cover costs of travel, childcare and CRB Disclosures if required.  Work experience isn’t intended as a recruitment tool – it’s about helping young people to prepare for work by providing an insight into a real working environment.  Unfortunately we cannot automatically give you a permanent position or guarantee you an interview for a job with us at the end of your placement.

Your Work Experience Placement with TCC

At TCC we are committed to developing and delivering innovative business solutions and our work experience placements provide a real insight into an exciting and creative working environment.  We plan your work experience placement so that it is hands on, provides opportunities for you to develop new skills and experience the routines of our day to day business.

• we provide work experience placements which are suitable for young people with little or no work experience
• we comply with all relevant legislation
• we guarantee that all placements are in addition to existing or planned vacancies and that no-one has been dismissed or made redundant so the placement can be offered
• we actively support our participants to carry out job search activity and attend interviews with prospective employers and fortnightly job search reviews with Jobcentre Plus
• we share information on participants with Jobcentre Plus
• we provide participants with a reference at the end of their placement

All work experience participants are volunteers and you will need to have a genuine interest in gaining work experience with our business.  Although you may have little or no work experience we will expect you to be motivated and willing to learn.

We are delighted to offer work experience placements in the following areas:

• Marketing, PR & Communications
• Business Administration

Work Experience Welcome & Induction Pack

Congratulations and a big warm welcome to The Change Consortium!  Our key principal for supporting you during your placement with us is to treat you as a regular employee as far as possible, but we recognise that you may need some additional coaching and help at times so if you’re unsure about anything – just ask a member of the team.  Teamwork is key to everything we do at TCC and working together, supporting and helping each other is what we do all day, every day.

Induction

A good induction is important and will help you settle into the working environment and our business.  Your work experience placement induction closely mirrors those of new employees so you will get a sense of what it is like to be a real new-starter.  It covers:

• management and reporting arrangements
• introduction to colleagues
• an overview of our business and its values
• a tour around the workplace
• guidance on using any specialist equipment and systems
• standard workplace practices such as health and safety issues, security procedures, dress code, sick leave/absence arrangements, lunch and break times

Regular Feedback & Exit Interview

Throughout your placement we’ll give you constructive, honest and supportive feedback to encourage you to reflect on your performance, value your achievements and identify areas for improvement.  We will encourage you to keep a record of your progress to help you consolidate your learning.  At the end of your placement we’ll take you through a soft touch exit interview so that we can give you feedback on your time with us and also give you the opportunity to tell us how we could improve future placements.  We’ll provide you with a reference at the end of your placement so that you can use it in your future job applications. 

Job Search Support

During your placement we’ll also support you in looking for permanent jobs – and will give you advice and help with your applications.  So that we can give you the very best support we will

• discuss with you your career aspirations and plans to realise your goals
• provide an insight into the careers of people in our business and the
• offer advice on completing application forms, cover letters, CVs
• help you prepare for interviews

For more information please contact us.