Throughout the work experience, students will apply the skills and knowledge learned throughout their studies. They will further enhance their personal growth by developing employability skills such as team-building, customer service, work ethic, attitude, accountability, and the ability to work independently.
Work experience is a required portion of a student's program of study and must be completed before the student is eligible to receive their certificate/diploma and graduate.
Work experience is an experiential academic course that aims to integrate the student’s academic study with work experience. All students in their final year at the College must register in, and pass, the Work experience course in order to graduate.
Work Experience Coordinator
The Work Experience Coordinator is the individual on campus that is your contact for work experience-related questions. The number of individuals involved may vary depending on campus size.
Work Experience Application
All students will receive their Work Experience Application Form (example in forms section) via email from the Work Experience Coordinator or your instructor. The students shall then complete the form electronically and send it as an attachment to the Work Experience Coordinator or instructor.
Students are permitted to submit the Work Experience Placement Preferences Form if they have a place of business they prefer to be placed. Forms can be obtained from the Work Experience Coordinator.
Work Experience Registration
Students must register for their work experience. Work experience is an academic course (practical) that takes place outside the College, but it requires registration the same as other academic courses. Without registration, student work cannot be assessed.
Work Experience Fees
All fees must be paid before the work experience commences. The College will not award your certificate/diploma until all fees are paid.
Orientation to Work Experience
All students are required to meet with the Work Experience Coordinator at least one week prior to work experience. The Work Experience Coordinator will provide each student with their roles and responsibilities during the work experience and ensure all appropriate forms are complete and filed.
Scheduling Interviews
Students will need to submit their current resume and fill out the Work Experience Application Form before they will be scheduled for interviews. Interviews will be held on campus or in place of business. Students must prepare for the interviews appropriately (i.e. research organization’s profile, dress appropriately and be familiar with basic interview skills).
Attendance
Students are expected to maintain 100 percent attendance. Only under extenuating circumstances will absenteeism from the work experience be excused. College of the North Atlantic expects students to adhere to the standards of the employers. Employers should feel comfortable in their expectations of this from their students.
The College should be notified if there are any ongoing issues with students work performance, attendance or attitude.
If a student is sick and will be absent from work, they must notify both their Work Experience Supervisor and their Work Experience Coordinator at the College prior to the start of the workday. The student will be responsible to make up any missed time at the end of their work experience at the discretion of the employer.
Daily Activities Log
Students will maintain a daily record of activities (Copy of form can be obtained from Work Experience Coordinator) while in the place of business. This will include a listing of the tasks performed, equipment operated, activities participated in, etc.
The supervisor should sign off each week before it is submitted to the Work Experience Coordinator at the College. Students must submit the Daily Activities log within one week of completing the Work Experience.
Work Hours
Students are expected to follow the same work hours as staff members at a work experience placement.
Hours of work would be the same as full-time employees of the organization/company up to a maximum of 40 hours per week. Consult with your direct supervisor and College contact should you need any special arrangement in this area.
If after your first day, you are unsure of attendance policies, please ask your supervisor.
- Start and end times
- What to do if a holiday falls within the time frame of your work experience
- Coffee/lunch break times
- Who to contact if you will be late or absent (this also has to be reported to your instructor)
- Policies on doctor or other appointments (this also has to be reported to your instructor)
Personal Appearance and Conduct
Students are expected to follow all policies and procedures required of full-time employees within the organization.
Students are expected to dress appropriately (take your cues from your supervisor and those around you) and exercise appropriate work ethics within the workplace.
NOTE: Your work experience placement may require you to submit a Certified Criminal Record Check/Certificate of Conduct
Confidentiality/Privacy Laws
While placed within an organization, you may experience a variety of confidentiality/privacy issues whether it is information about people, products, or internal organizational information. You are responsible to maintain the strictest level of confidentiality. If you are unsure what is confidential or the appropriate level of confidentiality, please discuss with your supervisor.
Organizations may also require you to sign a confidentiality agreement.
Employability Skills
The Conference Board of Canada has researched and published three areas of critical skills needed to “enter, stay in, and progress” in the world of work. These skill sets include the areas of
fundamental skills, personal management and teamwork which can be applied to your everyday life as well as the world of work.
You are encouraged to visit the Conference Board of Canada website and review the published list of employability skills. These skills will help strengthen your abilities while on your work exposure.
Conference Board of Canada - Employability Skills
Fundamentals Skills
The skills needed as a base for further development
Personal Management Skills
The personal skills, attitudes and behaviours that drive one’s potential for growth
Teamwork Skills
The skills and attributes needed to contribute productively
Work Experience Evaluation
Every student completing a work experience will be evaluated by their employer. This evaluation is returned to the College and will become part of the student’s record. In addition, the evaluation is also used in determining if a student passes the work experience.
If a student decides to drop a work experience, the student will be required to complete a drop form from the Admission’s Office. Completing a work experience is required to receive a certificate/diploma.
Updating Resume After Work Experience
Ensure to update your resume after the conclusion of your work experience.
Remember…if you are considering adding your supervisor as a reference on your resume when applying for future employment, you must ask first. Ensure you have their permission!
Tips
- Respect your supervisor and listen to their suggestions. Giving respect will ensure you get it back.
- Take initiative and ask for work when you are not busy
- Demonstrate a positive attitude towards your work
- Be punctual
- Do not criticize co-workers; do not gossip
- Communicate with your supervisor – ask for performance feedback
- Adhere to company policies
- Maintain confidentiality – do not discuss work specifics outside the workplace
- Arrive on time for work; do not leave early
- Accept constructive criticism
- Listen carefully; take time to listen to instructions and ask questions if unclear
- Admit mistakes and learn from them
- Dress appropriately – remember first impressions sometimes count!
- Be a team player
- Limit personal phone calls. Mobile phones should be placed on silent. Calls must be short and limited to important calls only!
- Use online technology for work purposes only (Internet, e-mail, etc.)
- If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask your instructor. They are only an email or phone call away!
Checklist
Have you completed the following?
- Update your resume
- Complete Work Experience Placement Preferences Form, if applicable, and submit to Work Experience Coordinator
- Complete Work Experience Placement Form and submit to Work Experience Coordinator
- Attend Work Experience Orientation
- Register for Work Experience the same way you register for your courses and pay fees. Completing the Work Experience Placement Form is not part of the registration process
- Obtain Work Experience information package before beginning the work experience from Work Experience Coordinator
- Ensure you have your Work Experience Coordinator contact information to take with you on your work experience
- Remain in touch with the Work Experience Coordinator at the College with updates via email.
- Maintain your Daily Activities Log and ensure your supervisor signs it at the end of each week
- Provide the Work Experience Coordinator with the Daily Activities Log within one week of completing your work experience
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The Work Experience is an important experiential academic course that aims to integrate the student’s academic study with work experience. Therefore, the Work Experience employer is expected to provide the student with a meaningful work experience that puts theory into practice, thereby providing a most valuable time for both the student and the employer’s organization.
The maximize the benefit to the student and the employer, while minimizing any unnecessary distractions, the student will be expected to observe the organization’s regulations, operating procedures, working hours, and other such policies that may normally apply to the Work Experience. The student will be expected to work the same hours as a regular employee; but not exceed 40 hours/week.
Orientation to the Workplace
Please provide the student with an orientation to the workplace, including an overview of the organization (environment, products, services, etc.), confidentiality agreements, lunch and break arrangements, relevant personnel, safety requirements/procedures, tasks and duties.
Assign a supervisor that will assist the student during their time with your organization.
Expenses
Students requested to incur travel expenses (travel, hotel, meals, etc.) related to the duties of their work experience placement are to be reimbursed for these expenses. Employers are not required to reimburse students for travel to and from their residence and workplace on a daily basis.
Costs
College of the North Atlantic does not require hosts to pay work experience students. However, an employer may offer payment at their own discretion.
Insurance
Please note that student work placements are covered by and subject to the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act (http://assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/w11.htm). Pursuant to subsection 42(1) of that Act, CNA students are covered by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador for personal injuries experienced during an unpaid work training program.
Confidentiality/Privacy Laws
Students have been advised to follow the organization’s confidentiality/privacy policies. Please ensure that your student is aware of any policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and privacy.
An organization can also request that a student sign a confidentiality agreement.
Issues
If any unusual circumstances or issues, such as medical emergencies, occur during the work experience, please notify your College contact Coordinator.
Selection of Student
Employers may request that students follow the typical interview process prior to being placed within their organization/company. This option can be pre-arranged through your college contact.
Employers who prefer that the College pre-select students to be placed within their organization/ company should follow the process below:
Employers will provide the College with a list of skills/attributes required for the work experience placement in the form of a job ad.
- Students will apply for the placement internally through college designate/contact.
- College staff will arrange and conduct interviews
- A student will be selected based on the skills/attributes required by the employer
Employers will be contacted informing them of the student and expected start dates.
Evaluation of Student
Supervisors in the workplace are required to participate in the evaluation of the student’s work placement.
On-site Visits
Periodically throughout the student work experience, an employee of the College (typically a faculty member) will contact you to arrange a visit to the workplace to discuss the student’s progress and to answer any questions related to the student or program. Where a location does not allow for an on-site visit, arrangements can be made to meet via telephone.
An individual from the College will always be available via email or telephone while the student is placed within your organization to answer any questions or resolve any issues that may arise.
Online Evaluation of Student
Prior to the student finishing their work experience, you will also be asked to complete an evaluation of the student. This evaluation will be circulated to all supervisors via email with a link to an online evaluation which consist of two parts – overall College questions and individual student evaluation. The evaluation will be completed online (via web) and submitted by clicking the submit button at the end of the evaluation. The results are automatically sent to the appropriate individuals within the college.
Email address which will be used to circulate evaluation - CNA-Student Evaluation (studentevaluation@cna.nl.ca)
Employers are encouraged to submit the completed evaluation within two weeks after the student has completed the work experience placement. A certificate/diploma may not be issued to the student until the College has received their evaluation.
Although not required, employers are encouraged to review their evaluation with the student.
Employer/Supervisor Checklist
- Ensure that students are aware of all policies regarding confidentiality/privacy
- Review important company policies with the student (ex: breaks/lunch, internet, email, telephone, etc.)
- Observe the student’s performance and provide constructive feedback
- Assign a supervisor that will oversee student’s work
- Participate in the work site visit
- Complete the final evaluation of the student
Responsibilities of Coordinator
The Work Experience Coordinator works with students and employers to find and place students in suitable work placements to fulfill the requirements of the work experience.
- Aids students in finding suitable work placements that are related to the students’ field of study
- Ask students to complete the “Work Placement Form” and submit to Coordinator prior to beginning their work experience
- Submit list of work experience using the information on the Work Placement Form in order to send out an electronic evaluation to work experience employers - Employers will receive the evaluation forms via email from the following email address – CNA-Student Evaluation (studentevaluation@cna.nl.ca)
- Ensures each student is aware of the evaluation process and that they ask their supervisor to complete the evaluation prior to the end of their work experience
- Meets with students prior to starting work placement to provide advice and additional information regarding work placements
- Assists employers with all aspects of the work placement including suggesting a suitable work plan
- Ensure employer receives letter introducing work experience and student
- Works with students and employers to monitor students with focus on ensuring student and employer needs are being met
- Arranges a suitable time to conduct an on-site visit
- Ensure employers have received the evaluation forms and explain the process of evaluating the student and purpose. Remind employers that completed forms should be returned as soon as possible at the end of the placement to prevent delays in issuing certificates/diplomas.
- Ensures that any recommendations regarding programs and curriculum are brought forward to the Dean and Program Developer
- Ensures employers are aware of and completes the evaluation of the student
Site Evaluation
The Work Experience Coordinator will have ongoing communication with employers throughout the work experience. Coordinators will conduct at least one site visit during the work experience either through an on-site visit, phone interview or communication via email by the middle of a work experience.
This visit is provided to ensure the work experience is progressing smoothly for both the employer and student. Supervisors should be contacted to set a time that suits both the employer and the coordinator.
Students are not informed of the site visit, phone call or email.
Incomplete Work Experience
A student failing a work experience will receive incomplete on their transcript. If the student is eligible to continue into the next academic term, the following steps must be followed:
- Employer recommends a failure
- Information forwarded to Admissions
- Work Experience Coordinator will schedule an appointment with student to discuss evaluation and identify areas for improvement
- If an employer recommends a fail, the student will have to complete an additional work experience