Get into work experience

Work experience can help young people build skills and confidence for life after school. Families and schools both have a role in making this happen.

Work experience makes a difference

Work experience is an opportunity for young people to learn about themselves, build their confidence and explore the world outside school. Research shows that it improves the chance of post-school employment for students with disability, especially for those with intellectual disability.

More than one placement can also be very valuable. Some students start in year 9, while some do more placements in later years or explore longer-term volunteering.

What it can look like

Work experience is a chance to learn, not a test of independence or readiness for work. Meaningful work experience usually takes place in everyday places like small businesses or community organisations. Work experience should include useful tasks, not just observing, that are based on young people’s strengths and interests.

Starting small is fine, for example shorter shifts, fewer days or one day per week. Work experience is a school program, so reasonable adjustments must be provided so that students with disability can take part.

Finding a placement: start with your young person

Most schools expect that families will find (or help to find) a work experience placement for their young person. A good place to start is by observing or exploring with your young person:

Their strengths, interests and ideas about work
Activities they enjoy or tasks they find satisfying
Where they feel comfortable – for example, do they prefer quiet or busy places, indoors or outdoors, working with others or independently

Many placements come from talking to family, friends, local businesses or community organisations. Volunteer-based organisations like op shops, community kitchens or sporting clubs can be great options. When approaching a potential placement host, it helps to focus on your young person’s strengths, the kinds of tasks they could do, and the support that school would provide.

What to expect from the school

It’s a good idea to start planning early. You can raise work experience in parent-teacher interviews, or at a Student Support Group meeting or transition (post-school) planning meeting. Or you can request a meeting with the year level coordinator, pathways coordinator or careers staff.

Once a placement is identified, the school must do legal and safety checks, then plan the placement with you and your young person. You can find details of what to expect in the Department of Education policy.

When planning supports and adjustments, start with what already works at school, then add what you observe from home. Consider issues like:

What tasks they can do and how they might need to be adjusted
How they communicate and learn, for example if breaking down tasks, or visual or written instructions are helpful
What helps your young person transition to new places or activities
How long they can focus and what helps them during breaks
Equipment or sensory supports they may need

Schools will then work with the employer to help them meet your young person’s learning and communication needs and make adjustments. The school will remain a contact for the employer during the placement.

Preparing for your young person

Preparation can make a big difference. Students with disability can often visit the workplace before their placement to meet staff, take photos and talk through possible tasks and adjustments. Ask the school if this can be arranged. Your young person may also benefit from practicing any new travel required or roleplaying simple workplace interactions.

All students must complete a pre-placement learning program at school. These are available online, and can be useful prompts for you to talk with your young person about issues like workplace safety, communication and what to expect.

Get help along the way

Families don’t need to work through all this on their own. Your Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN) may be able to help with placement ideas. The online School to Work Portal may also be useful. School staff can help with planning, preparation, equipment and support. If your young person sees allied
health professionals, they may also be able to help plan adjustments and prepare them for the placement.

Work experience can take time and effort to organise. But every step, however small, can help your young person build confidence, skills and ideas for their future.