Is work experience in yr10 compulsory? NSW

**Ms_Fi** · May 22nd, 2013, 07:49 AM

DD1 is having a really hard time organising her work experience for June - she had somewhere all set up but the company pulled out and her careers advisor is being awful about it.

He told her last week not to worry about it but yesterday he pulled her out of class to say she has to go next month as its compulsory and she's got to get something sorted out immediately as the forms have to be back in school by Monday.

She's currently in bed having been throwing up all night and her anxiety (recently diagnosed) is at crazy levels.

Before I complain to the school about him I'd just like to find out if he's right that general yr10 work experience is compulsory or not. I know work placement for VET courses is but can't find anything on work experience.

Thanks

**Tinks** · May 22nd, 2013, 07:52 AM

I'm in VIC but I was of the understanding work experience is compulsory. My DS is in year 10 and has to do 2 weeks work experience on top of his VET course placement, we tried getting out of it but couldn't.

Could you get her into a school or a child care centre, that kind of thing might be easier on her, anxiety wise.

**Rouge** · May 22nd, 2013, 08:02 AM

I'm pretty sure it is compulsory yes.

**LimeSlice** · May 22nd, 2013, 08:14 AM

Is she able to do work experience with you or your DH, an aunt or cousin? I know quite few people who did that kind of thing when I was in Year 10.

**Lisa** · May 22nd, 2013, 09:30 AM

My DS1 didn't do it and he still got his School Certificate. His year was the last to do the School Certificate. Not sure how not doing work experience will effect the HSC though.
I would definitely speak to your daughters school about it. My kid's school is different in that they can do work experience at any time through the year, not at a set time. Perhaps see if doing it in her own time is an option for your DD.
Good luck

**glenny_c** · May 22nd, 2013, 10:06 AM

I think it's pretty poor that she has to organise it herself. I remember when we were at school we just gave preference for industry and the school worked it out. Do the kids really have to sort it themselves? Poor
What industry is she interested in?

**glenny_c** · May 22nd, 2013, 10:06 AM

I think it's pretty poor that she has to organise it herself. I remember when we were at school we just gave preference for industry and the school worked it out. Do the kids really have to sort it themselves? Poor
What industry is she interested in?

**Rouge** · May 22nd, 2013, 10:13 AM

We had to organise it ourselves. It's a way to build confidence for future employment. It's not hard. And 15 year olds are hardly babies. When we did ours we were told to call multiple places in case something fell through or to ensure we actually got a place.

Work experience isn't just about getting a place in your chosen field, it's about experiencing work. The whole package. A lot of people in my year never got to work in their chosen fields. Usually only those with contacts got that luxury.

**Ms_Fi** · May 22nd, 2013, 10:14 AM

Thanks everyone. There is an optional week in November that she was told she could do but now she's been told it has to be done next month.

They have to organise it all themselves, the school doesn't give them any help. She wants to do journalism and approached the local paper but they backed out after it was all arranged

Unfortunately I've got exams that week and we don't have any family contacts we could ask. If he'd said earlier that she had to do it during June it would've been ok but it's way too late now to organise anything she wants to do.

**HotI** · May 22nd, 2013, 10:20 AM

Is there anything more immediate (less long term employment) that she is interested in? My brother did his in the local music store, loved it and got contacts for cheap stereos etc. He was going to a top school in Melbourne, and a strong student, but used the experience to get more immediate rewards.

**PumpkinZulu** · May 22nd, 2013, 10:30 AM

Yeah we had to organise it ourselves too. I didn't get the field I wanted, so I went to primary schools for my work experience. It ended up being great, despite not being something I was initially very interested in.

**LionsandBears** · May 22nd, 2013, 11:05 AM

We had to organise it ourselves too. I was shy as hell and probably disorganised. I did my work experience in a book shop. Nothing to do with my future career, but certainly pleasant.

If she wants to do journalism and there aren't many options, what about trying the PR people of local tourist attractions. There's a big cross over between PR and journalism.

**misty** · May 22nd, 2013, 11:36 AM

She could just approach the local businesses - corner stores, news agents, etc and see if anyone will let her do it. It may not be her chosen field, but it's still work experience.

**Amaunet** · May 22nd, 2013, 06:25 PM

It's not usually compulsory, however, the whole year group is probably going out at once and if your DD doesn't organise something she may not have normal classes at school and have to sit in a year 9 class for the week. Work experience is also sometimes tied to a subject and may form part of the assessment for that subject (ie English - resumes and writing a diary and report on her placement. )

FWIW- I think if she can't get a journalism placement then she needs to sort a backup option. Many people don't get to work in their chosen or trained field and its a good "lesson" to understand that sometimes we don't get to do our chosen job or career.

**Beatrix** · May 22nd, 2013, 06:44 PM

At our school it was compulsory.

I did mine at the Ice arena. Was awesome!! Best week ever!! I didn't bother going for my chosen field (at that time wanted to be police officer) so went for the fun factor.

My second lot I chose a place where I could potentially get part time employment from after. The local cafe. Worked out well for me!!

**Floweryfields** · May 22nd, 2013, 06:47 PM

We had to organise it ourselves. It's a way to build confidence for future employment. It's not hard. And 15 year olds are hardly babies. When we did ours we were told to call multiple places in case something fell through or to ensure we actually got a place.

Work experience isn't just about getting a place in your chosen field, it's about experiencing work. The whole package. A lot of people in my year never got to work in their chosen fields. Usually only those with contacts got that luxury.

Totally agree - as someone who has work experience students usually twice yearly, I treat them in many respects like a paid staff member - in that they are expected to arrive on time, call themselves if they are unable to attend and participate in the workplace like any other staff member.
We had a young man who came and did his first week of WE with us as he was only able to attend his chosen field for the second week. Childcare was not his career aim, but he was wonderful just the same and both he and the centre benefited greatly from his time with us.