Work Experience

Work Experience provides young people who are still at school with an opportunity to sample a work environment for a period of one or two weeks. Placements build confidence, develop work & social skills, enhance motivation and help young people make better choices regarding their future careers.

Bolton & Bury EBP works in partnership with local schools and employers to offer all pupils at Key Stage 4 a quality work experience placement.

Why is work experience so important?
We asked teachers in schools throughout Bolton and Bury to give us their views on the importance of work experience. This is what some of them had to say...

"Staff are able to establish lasting links with companies and organisations which enhance curriculum relevance and purpose. Students returning to school after placements do so with renewed confidence, motivation and commitment having learnt about the realities of working life and the ultimate purpose of their education." Sally Haworth: Work Related Learning Manager - Smithills School, Bolton.

"They realise that the world of work is different to school life... and that teachers are not the enemy." Bernie Egerton: Work Experience Coordinator - Withins School, Bolton.

"Work experience allows our students to experience the world of work and cope with the problems presented by interacting in an adult environment, thereby gaining greater self-confidence, self-reliance and maturity. It also helps students begin to appreciate how subjects taught in the school are relevant to the needs of industry and commerce." Phillip Porter: Work Experience Coordinator - Bury Church of England High School.

"Work experience offers the opportunity to discover what life is like in the work place. Students learn new skills, which improves their self-esteem." Lyn Lines: Headteacher - Elms Bank Specialist Arts College, Whitefield.

"Pupils gain a greater understanding of how school and exam success can help them attain their career goals." Miss H Jones: Head of Careers - Mount St Joseph Business & Enterprise College, Farnworth.

"In many cases young people are given the opportunity to demonstrate initiative and responsibility. This can have a very positive effect in terms of personal confidence and self-esteem. Many young people return from work experience with increased motivation borne out of a realisation that education increases opportunity in terms of careers options. Above all, work experience is a valuable part of the transition to adulthood in that pupils are given their first opportunity to function within an adult environment and to feel happy and confident in that environment." Mr C West: Head of Carers Education - Castlebrook High School, Unsworth.

"It provides another important lesson, that much of working life is repetitive with varying degrees of boredom so it is the interaction with others and the relationship forming which is vital, not the actual job." Mr P Mather: Headteacher - Withins School, Bolton.

Work Experience Online Booking System Our online booking system lists over 5000 quality work experience placements. If you would like more information about work experience or would like to offer a placement for a young person, please email Linda Tonge or call 01204 375792.

Links: EBP Postal Address