Work placements offer ‘employment boost’

Posted 30 Jul 2009

Taking up a TEFL placement abroad is one way youngsters could prepare for employment.

The advice follows comments from Working Links, an organisation which seeks to help the long-term unemployed get back into sustainable work.

Jenni Newberry, head of communities, insists the key to securing a job is to find placements offering real-life experience of the world of work, which could include a job or voluntary placement teaching English abroad.

She explains: "We know that practical experience in the workplace plays a vital role in upskilling and preparing young people for the world of work and helps employers feel more confident taking on a young person."

However, she adds youngsters should check out the credentials of the company offering such placements first to ensure there is a "structured and progressive action plan" and good support network.

In related news, recent research has shown that a growing number of adults are escaping the shrinking jobs market by spending time travelling abroad.

As redundancies soar, the report by Travelex suggests many are choosing to take a gap year instead of hunting for further employment.

Category: Teaching and Learning