Myths and Work Placements

Top Myths about Placing Students

There are many myths preventing businesses from taking the leap and placing students in their workforce. But, that's just what they are: myths.

Top four myths about placing students

Myth 1: "They're more trouble than they're worth"

Young people have energy and ideas and are often new to the workplace. For many employers, it's a challenge consigned to the 'too hard basket' to guide students in this new experience, and many supervisors don't know how to manage the energies of younger employees. Everyone needs to start somewhere, everyone needs to be given a chance. And good news - it's a myth that students are more trouble than they're worth: studies show that employers who have participated are twice as likely to experience the benefits, ranging from bottom line, and productivity, improvements to enhancing corporate reputation in the community.

Myth 2: "It's all take and no give"

When young people are involved in your business, research shows that it's a real give and take relationship. Young people can give their time, energy, unique perspective and learning capacity to a business to make a positive contribution. In return they benefit from the experience of staff around them and an increase in skills.

Businesses and their employees also give their time, energy and expertise to integrate young people into their workforce, teach them new skills and manage their time and tasks productively. In return they gain a sense of satisfaction and greater productivity by adding a new resource to their team at lower-than-normal cost. In fact, 86 per cent of businesses said increased staff satisfaction is the most important benefit, and 65 per cent said that effective recruitment is also an important benefit.

Myth 3: "Once bitten twice shy"

We've found that 80 per cent of participating employers are likely to continue with work placements year after year. These statistics confirm that many employers see the program as a valuable investment for their business as well as the students involved.

Myth 4: "It's a waste of time"

This myth couldn't be more off-the-track. When employers work together with schools and students and actively play a role in enhancing the future of their business and the lives of young people, time wasting is the last thing they think of.

*Source: The Employer Perspective: A survey of employer participation in structured workplace learning 2000, Enterprise and Career Education Foundation, Australia 2000.

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