Many individuals get the opportunity to ‘taste’ or get the feel of work when they’re well into their university courses and unfortunately for most even after university. We believe, just as research does (Charles Baum, 2014 and Laurence Steinberg –university of California), at that time it’s not only too late to effectively reshape the student’s career pathway, but it is also tasking to develop the best occupational skills in that particular industry.
Our interest is trifold.
- To start getting employers in key sectors to directly take part in the education system from a lower level. Because then they ensure that the required knowledge and skills are present in school leavers prior to getting into the employment world hence creating a better labour force.
- Improving academic achievement by raising the confidence of students as they make informed career choices.
- Lastly, supporting students in preparation for the life of work early enough, as they develop transferable skills like communication, decision making, team working and many more.
Mission Statement
To suitably prepare young persons for the world of work by directly connecting learning and employment. Work Experience Company (WEx) provides an opportunity for students to learn about, and from, work by acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions about further education routes and employment. WEx is working to explore and execute ways of engaging local employers with schools across the country as a two-way traffic where both employers and schools both benefit for their respective goals.
Our Vision
To lead the provision of work experience to students and practically develop work-related skills to enhance their education.
Aim & Objective
WEx works to achieve the following objectives:
- To raise standards of achievement for all through supporting career related learning.
- To develop students’ employability and key skills
- To enable students to understand the career planning process, and to identify their values, interests and skills and reflect on these in order to make choices.
- To enhance careers education and guidance and promote further education and early subject specialisation for industry mastery.
- To provide accurate and relevant information on occupations and opportunities, including post-school vacancies, internships, gap year activities, voluntary work and graduate study
- Increase awareness of vocational courses
- To promote an understanding of the economy, enterprise and personal finance including business operation skills.
- To develop personal and social education
- To provide work related context for the National Curriculum
- To advise employers on the recruitment.
Statement of Principles
WEx is committed to:
- Providing services of a high professional standard, responding to client need and welcoming feedback from clients and partnerships.
- Ensuring equality of opportunity in the delivery of the service
- Guaranteeing impartiality and confidentiality to students and employers.
- Treating all partners and stakeholders with respect and courtesy
- Fostering a spirit of team working with colleagues.
Our work
With the support of employers and their employees, WEx develops and delivers programmes that:
- Enable young people to learn about work and gain practical experience of the skills and attributes they need for employment through planned work experience.
- Offer careers guidance and design relevant career events.
- Student mentoring.
- Link employers to schools to allow direct job market influence on learning and vice versa.
- Enrich the curriculum