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This report describes and analyses how work activities undertaken by
students while at school affect their post-school pathways into work
and between work and study.
- Workplace engagement while at school provides many benefits, including
the development of employability skills, confirmation of skills
and interests, specific experiences in preferred jobs, which can confirm
or deter entrance to that career, and the potential for gaining
permanent
employment at the same workplace, or through contacts made at work.
- The broader the range of workplace experiences, the more options
appear to open up for young people.
- Students participating in school-based New Apprenticeships tend
not to undertake other forms of workplace experience. These apprenticeships
do, however, lead to positive post-school employment options in the
areas with which they are associated.
- Part-time jobs while at school are important, less as career pathways
than as earning opportunities and a means of supporting other study
and career options.
- As part-time jobs often lead to post-school employment in the same
industry, industries currently experiencing difficulties in attracting
labour should consider making part-time jobs available for students
where possible, and where legislative requirements allow.
- An adaptable model is suggested, which describes the links between
school workplace experiences and post-school activities.
However, it is important to highlight that workplace experiences are
only one
group
of factors affecting young people's decisions about post-school
options and subsequent careers. Workplace experiences
are of more importance to some young people than to others.
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