Get them working young I say.

[gand]

My daughter just did a week work experience. It sounded like she spent the week on the doss! I did two weeks at school as a kayak and rock climbing instructor. Spent the fortnight playing on the river and scaling some rock faces. Got a job out of it till I started on the tree course.

[woody paul]

My work experience was the first time the introduce it, was meant to be doing butchery at local supermarket but when I got there with a group of about 10 they switched us all around I landed up in garden centre area with another lad how lasted only till first break and never came back. The last week I was there the bloke how was ment to be looking after me went on holiday and was then left to do what I had done in the first week with just the odd other person working there coming to find me and ask how I was going on, loved it. 

[sime42]

10 hours ago, peds said:

 

Could you do another week now?

 

I'd love to but they're not what they once were now. I think they're mainly just a sales showroom, maybe with some assembly of foreign made components. Not heavy engineering like they used to be.

 

 

[Steven P]

Work experience is invaluable.. but the 'employer' has to be switched on. I've had a couple of youngsters sit with me for a day each, often with about 10 minutes notice "This is Bob, look after him till 5, show him what you do". I think takes effort from all sides - employer, teachers, and student to get the best from it.

 

Things like the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Scouts / Cadets do some volunteering stuff and for longer term which is perhaps more useful... if you go to the right places and not just a tick box exercise...

 

But given the right opportunities I'd encourage anyone to do it