BackFor employers: placement induction checklist
Every placement should start with an induction; here's what to cover
This guide is taken from the Know How Library, a tool on the Unifrog platform. Not sure whether to take the ACT or the SAT? Or how to give the perfect Oxbridge practice interview? The Know How Library is an easily searchable library of 100s of expert guides for both students and teachers, covering every aspect of the progression process. It is included as standard for Unifrog partner schools.
Tick off every item on this list, and the placement will get off to a good start.
Every placement should begin with an induction; here's what to cover (some of which will only be relevant for in person placements).
Download this list as a word doc here.
- Overview of the organisation and the work it does, including the products / services it provides, the industry it is in, its size and structure, and whether it has a national or international focus.
- What is the student looking to get out of the placement? Do they have any specific learning objectives? What is the employer looking to get out of it?
- Itinerary for the placement, and what the student’s role will be, including:
- Which departments they will be working in, and the type of work they will be observing, learning about, and doing.
- Does the student have their own project to be working on, between other activities?
- Will the student be keeping a journal? If so, how will this work exactly?
- The days the student needs to attend the placement, the start and finish times for each day, and the lunch and break times.
- The procedures if the student cannot attend on a day when they are scheduled to do so, or is going to be late.
- The locations of where the student can eat and buy food, and the toilets.
- The organisation’s policies on dress code, drug and alcohol use, communication between colleagues and with external people, and any other important expectations to do with professional behaviour.
- Who the student’s immediate manager for the placement will be, and who to speak to if there is a problem.
- How to access the organisation’s IT systems, and the organisation’s policy about using IT equipment, including using social media in the workplace, and when and where the student is allowed to use their mobile phone.
- Any areas at the workplace that are restricted, or on the other hand where the student must always remain.
- Safe working practices to adhere to while on the placement, including discussing any potential hazards and how the risks can be managed.
- That the student is not allowed to operate any machinery without the permission of the manager, and without first receiving the appropriate training.
- The importance of safety equipment, such as PPE, where it is kept, which areas it must be used in and why.
- The procedures for reporting an injury or accident.
- What to do in the event of a fire, including how to raise the alarm, how to evacuate safely, and where the assembly points are.