Agenda item
Motion C: Boosting Workplaces and Young People by Supporting Work Experience in the District - Proposed by Councillor Ruth Smith, Seconded by Councillor Rachel Crouch
Recommendation for Council to vote on:
Council asks the Executive Committee to work with officers and members to develop a simple but effective system for West Oxfordshire employers to be kept aware of the work experience dates for schools in the district, and for employers to be able to indicate willingness to offer work experience places, so that the process is more equitable for young people.
This is an initiative that can outlast Local Government Reorganisation as a valuable piece of local implementation of goals that fall under a wider authority.
Context for the motion:
Work Experience forms part of careers education at Key Stages 4 and 5 (year 10-11 and 12-13).
Gatsby Benchmark 6, within Statutory Guidance updated in May 2025 [1], states:
Every learner should have first-hand experiences of workplaces to help their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks [by the ages of 16 and 18].
In West Oxfordshire, this means that schools release their students for one week of work experience in Year 10 or 11 and in Year 12.
But despite the things the County Council and schools do, families and students still find it hard to know what local opportunities there are with employers.
Many school students find placements with friends and family. Whilst convenient, this is not a level playing field and doesn’t necessarily match a student’s interests. Schools use their contacts for students who seem to have the most trouble finding their own placement.
Schools have a lead member of staff, trained through the Oxfordshire Careers Hub, run by Oxfordshire Enterprise (Oxfordshire County Council). Each school does things its own way to build relationships with local companies.
West Oxfordshire has the West Oxfordshire Schools Careers Partnership, with well-trained staff at each school and attempts to publicise work experience dates for each school to employers. WOSCP has no web presence of its own; it is cited by schools on their own sites.
We can improve the situation in West Oxfordshire.
This motion seeks, as part of WODC’s business-facing responsibilities, in line with its funding commitments to skills training (e.g. WODC’s allocation of the UKSPF) and its investment in a Youth Development officer, to help residents find employers in West Oxfordshire employers that offer placements - with a web page that:
· Informs West Oxfordshire employers of all the schools’ work experience dates
· Allows expression or interest or pledges of placements to be offered
· Provides a way for employers to promote their participation and how to contact them appropriately
· Retains the autonomy of companies to select their own candidates, but from a platform that signals willingness to engage, and equal opportunity.
· Signposts to and integrates with the initiatives of Oxfordshire Enterprise and the Careers Hub without duplication
Success will be if a placements are found more easily and if employers report a boost to their community profile.
Officers may wish to work with schools, WOSCP and the Oxfordshire Careers Hub to shape the most effective format for this project.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-guidance-provision-for-young-people-in-schools/careers-guidance-and-access-for-education-and-training-providers#benchmark-6-experiences-of-workplaces
Minutes:
Councillors Andrew Beaney and David Cooper left the meeting at this point. Councillor Beaney left the Chamber as he had declared an interest in the motion.
Cllr Ruth Smith introduced the motion, and read it out as follows;
Council asks the Executive Committee to work with officers and members to develop a simple but effective system for West Oxfordshire employers to be kept aware of the work experience dates for schools in the district, and for employers to be able to indicate willingness to offer work experience places, so that the process is more equitable for young people.
This is an initiative that can outlast Local Government Reorganisation as a valuable piece of local implementation of goals that fall under a wider authority.
Work Experience forms part of careers education at Key Stages 4 and 5 (year 10-11 and 12-13).
Gatsby Benchmark 6, within Statutory Guidance updated in May 2025 [1], states:
Every learner should have first-hand experiences of workplaces to help their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks [by the ages of 16 and 18].
In West Oxfordshire, this means that schools release their students for one week of work experience in Year 10 or 11 and in Year 12.
But despite the things the County Council and schools do, families and students still find it hard to know what local opportunities there are with employers.
Many school students find placements with friends and family. Whilst convenient, this is not a level playing field and doesn’t necessarily match a student’s interests. Schools use their contacts for students who seem to have the most trouble finding their own placement.
Schools have a lead member of staff, trained through the Oxfordshire Careers Hub, run by Oxfordshire Enterprise (Oxfordshire County Council). Each school does things its own way to build relationships with local companies.
West Oxfordshire has the West Oxfordshire Schools Careers Partnership, with well-trained staff at each school and attempts to publicise work experience dates for each school to employers. WOSCP has no web presence of its own; it is cited by schools on their own sites.
We can improve the situation in West Oxfordshire.
This motion seeks, as part of WODC’s business-facing responsibilities, in line with its funding commitments to skills training (e.g. WODC’s allocation of the UKSPF) and its investment in a Youth Development officer, to help residents find employers in West Oxfordshire employers that offer placements - with a web page that:
· Informs West Oxfordshire employers of all the schools’ work experience dates
· Allows expression or interest or pledges of placements to be offered
· Provides a way for employers to promote their participation and how to contact them appropriately
· Retains the autonomy of companies to select their own candidates, but from a platform that signals willingness to engage, and equal opportunity.
· Signposts to and integrates with the initiatives of Oxfordshire Enterprise and the Careers Hub without duplication
Success will be if a placements are found more easily and if employers report a boost to their community profile.
Officers may wish to work with schools, WOSCP and the Oxfordshire Careers Hub to shape the most effective format for this project.
Councillor Smith stated that the idea behind this was to have a simple platform that hooked employers and made it easier for students.
Councillor Rachel Crouch seconded the motion, stating that the existing system was too based on connections.
The motion was debated with the following points raised;
- It would make the system more equitable, for students being currently based on family and friend connections.
- It would help and encourage employers to find work experience students.
- The Local Skills Boards and Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Boards were also working in the area.
The Motion was voted on and agreed unanimously.
Council resolved that:
Council asked the Executive Committee to work with officers and members to develop a simple but effective system for West Oxfordshire employers to be kept aware of the work experience dates for schools in the district, and for employers to be able to indicate willingness to offer work experience places, so that the process is more equitable for young people.