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Provision of a work placement scheme for disabled students within work areas which recruit graduates regularly.
- Opens the organisation to groups who may be inclined to dismiss it as a potential employer.
- Provides a clear step towards breaking stereotypes, both of sectors / employers and of people with disabilities.
- Gives participants experience of the workplace and of the skills required for effectiveness in it.
- Involves the organisation in building awareness of and dealing with issues for disabled employees.
- Capability to run a high quality placement scheme, i.e.: worthwhile project-based work experience opportunities, personal commitment and capability to manage the students and some payroll budget provision.
- Readiness to make timely workplace adaptations for students with disabilities where required.
- Organisation : Placement scheme coordinator and sufficient line managers with suitable projects; budgetary provision; training input for students as required.
- Higher Education Institutions: student placement advisor (if work with target institutions is involved).
Details for running a successful placement scheme were available from several sources including the AGR and the National Council for Work Experience (subsequently absorbed into Prospects) but not available any longer (13 January 2017).
1. Draw up plan for the programme including:
- Goals of the scheme for the organisation
- Number, location and length of placement
- Process for canvassing for placement projects within the organisation
- Timetable for promoting, setting up and running the scheme
2.Circulate promotional information about the scheme, inviting suitable projects for placement students. Ensure that this:
- describes the type of work-challenge that is sought for students
- requires each project to have a clear objective / set of desired outcomes
- asks project-owners to specify the work-based learning that the student is likely to acquire
3.Develop and deploy promotional material to attract students in the target groups. A variety of channels can help with this step, as well as higher education institution Careers Services.
4.Apply an appropriate selection procedure to the student applications; aim to use this as a means of leaving unsuccessful applicants with a positive experience of the
organisation.
5.Issue offers and contracts to successful applicants including
• Location
• Duration
• Start date
• Pay
• Terms & condition
These would generally be based on normal conditions for joiners or placement students.
6.Aim to identify suitable buddies and/or mentors for placement students - recent graduate recruits (buddies) to the area of the placement and middle managers (mentors). Brief these people on their roles.
7.Commission and plan the induction and any other training that is to be provided to the students.
8.Brief the manager for each student in all aspects of the placement:
- Any issues of disability and how to approach them
- Standards of management of the students; supervision; management support and feedback; involvement and integration within the work team
- Appraisal and review process to be followed
9.Run the placements. Ensure that any issues arising from the students' disabilities are resolved immediately. Provide a central contact point for queries or problems from either students or their managers.
10.Conduct review and follow-up at stages and at the end of each placement. Ensure student has the opportunity to reflect of their learning.
Development of employability skills can be substantially strengthened by the incorporation of appropriately designed training events as part of the placement. For a residential training programme example, click here.
This tool can be modified to target any diversity or other group by selected adjustments.
The Cabinet Office,
Corporate Development Group
http://www.faststream.gov.uk
(accessed 13 January 2017)
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