Careers @ McCarthy

Careers @ McCarthy

Work Experience

At McCarthy Catholic College work experience is NOT compulsory and there is no time set aside at school for block work experience. 

Work experience is offered to students in the following situations:

Ø       Those students seeking apprenticeships where work experience will help them focus on career options and assist their chances of successfully making the transition from school to work.

Ø       Those students seeking to do university study in areas such as health and communications where work experience enhances their prospects in gaining entry to these university courses.

The school prefers students to do work experience in their school holidays where possible as school work, assessment tasks and examinations take priority. Only with permission can it be done during school time.

Year 10 students who wish to do work experience and meet the above requirements, may do this during Terms 1-3 while in Year 10 or in Years 11 or 12 if they are returning to school.  Work experience will not be available in Term 4 except in exceptional circumstances eg if it is a requirement for a School-Based traineeship or apprenticeship.

Students intending to do work experience:

• must be at least 14 years old
• must first see me to discuss their plans to see if they meet the school’s guidelines
• are responsible for finding an employer for their work experience and arranging suitable dates with the employer
• are encouraged to do work experience in school holidays.  If school time is involved, students are not to miss assessment tasks, exams or any other events the staff regard as having priority.
• must see me to start the paperwork involved once the employer and dates are organized
• must ensure all paperwork is satisfactorily completed before the period of work experience begins.  This can take a considerable amount of time so allow at least one week to get this completed. 
• must not accept payment for their period of work experience as this has implications for their work experience insurance cover
• must have completed the OHS General Induction for Construction Work in NSW course before doing any work experience in the construction industry or on a construction site.

Forms that need to be collected/completed/ returned to school include:

1)       Letter of introduction from the school to the employer

2)       Work experience evaluation  by employer

3)       Employer’s agreement to host a student on work experience

4)       School form signed by all teachers if work experience is in school time

5)       An Employer’s Guide to Workplace Learning

6)       A Student’s/Parent’s Guide to Workplace Learning including:

Workplace Learning Code of Conduct signed by the student, Checklist for Students, Student Workplace Learning Journal and Student Placement Record: Medical Advice

7)       Student Placement Record: Sections 1,2 and 3

8)       Special Needs Summary (if required).

Kate Rayment,                                                                          Susan Barrett,                                      

Principal                                                                                    Careers Adviser.