Workplace Safety Systems


Work Experience

One of the purposes of this course is to help you prepare for the world of work. However, there is another effective way to discover what an actual job site is like. It is through the "world of work" itself through the Work Experience program. Through this course,  you will not only earn a high school credit, you will also obtain the pre-requisite for Work Experience, develop the skills necessary to help you succeed, as well as learning more about yourself.


HCS3000 is a prerequisite for Work Experience. You cannot enroll in the Work Experience program without first successfully completing this course.


Let's take a moment to think about Work Experience!

Look through the following information about work experience. Then consider the reasons you might be interested in the Work Experience program.


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 At work, you will...

  • put into practice what you learn in school—academics, technical, and technological.
  • practice teamwork skills you have developed in class projects and on teams.
  • practice effective communication and social skills developed throughout your school experience.
  • practice decision-making.
  • apply individual responsibility
  • You must to be on time.
  • You have to be responsible for your attendance.
  • You must work safetly.
  • You must work effectively with others regardless of their backgrounds, orientations or beliefs.
Work Experience has many benefits and is a lot of fun.

  • You will develop the skills, attitudes, and expectations to succeed in the workplace.
  • You will explore career options and opportunities first hand.
  • You will actually be a real working person.
  • You will develop useful and marketable skills to help you proceed into a career.
  • You will be exposed to up-to-date, relevant information, and technology in an area that interests you.
  • You will learn more about yourself in this practical setting, which will help you plan for your future.
  • You will be better able to develop a career plan based on realistic, practical information.
  • You will be better equipped to make a smooth transition from school to work.
  • You will be better able to answer questions such as the following:
    • What types of occupations interest me?
    • What strengths and skills do I have that need to be improved?
    • What knowledge, skills, and attitudes will I need in the future?
  • You will reflect upon and analyze critical work-related issues.
  • You will reflect upon your personal goals.
  • You may meet some great people who could be useful as references or job contacts later on.
  • You may be given your own employee identification card, password, or telephone number.
  • You may be invited to a company lunch or social function.
On the other hand, it's not so great when some things happen:
  • You are not made president of the Company on the second day.
  • You are working hard but not getting paid.
  • You are expected to do some simple jobs, and you are sure that you could handle more responsibility.
Work Experience can be a very important and useful stepping stone between school and work. Certainly, it can be a significant listing on your initial resume, and thus serve well to help you land your first job. Your cooperating employer in the Work Experience program can also be a valuable job reference.


 Expectations
 You should take some time to familiarize yoruself with some work experience expectations for you, your teacher and your work supervisor.

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What Can Your Teacher and Supervisor Expect of You?

The following are some of the expectations your Work Experience teacher and supervisor have for you.
  • Be on time.
  • Be regular in attendance.
  • Understand employer and/or supervisor expectations.
  • Follow the employerÂ’s rules and regulations.
  • Accept direction from supervising personnel.
  • Phone the employer and the Work Experience teacher if you will be absent from work.
  • Dress appropriately.
  • Ensure appropriate personal grooming and hygiene.
  • Maintain a positive attitude.
  • Discuss problems and/or concerns with your Work Experience teacher and your employer.
  • Be responsible. Follow safety instructions.
  • Always work to the best of your ability.
  • Hand in weekly timesheets to your Work Experience teacher.
  • Ask questions when you do not understand something.
  • Demonstrate interest and motivation.
  • Accept even simple tasks you may be asked to do.
  • Do not expect to be given significant responsibilities immediately.
  • Use you time in the workplace to observe the way the business or industry operates and the duties of people in other jobs.
  • Be sensitive to the expectations of your working situation in terms of dress code, behaviour expectations and language. If in doubt, use your supervisor as a model and ask questions.
  • Follow instructions carefully and ask questions if you are unsure of something. Better to ask a question than to risk injury or damage to equipment.
  • Safety procedures must be followed at all times. Many jobs have risks associated with them, but by following proper procedures and wearing protective equipment, serious hazards can be minimized or eliminated.
  • Respect the confidential nature of information at the workplace. Business information must remain a company matter and is not to be discussed outside the workplace.
  • Some tasks essential to the operation may not be challenging to your ability. Approach such tasks as opportunities to prove to your supervisor that you are capable of handling more.

What Can You Expect of Your Teacher?

You can expect some things from your Work Experience teacher:
  • Your teacher will find a placement that meets your needs.
  • Your teacher will develop a Learning Plan that outlines your training.
  • Your teacher will complete the necessary paperwork.
  • Your teacher will discuss your progress with you and your supervisor and provide feedback.
  • Your teacher will evaluate your work and assign your final mark.

What Can You Expect of Your Supervisor?

You can expect some things from your supervisor on the job:
  • When your Work Experience starts, your employer should provide an orientation to your workplace and outline daily routines and expectations.
  • You need close supervision at first as well as an opportunity to feel comfortable in asking questions.
  • Safety information is critical as well as attention to the proper accident procedures.
  • For the terms of the Work Experience Agreement and the hours specified, students are deemed to be employees of the Alberta Government for Workers' Compensation protection and the employer is exempt from paying the minimum wage stipulated by the Employment Standards Code. All other regulations apply. If the employer hires the student outside the hours or days of the agreement, Workers' Compensation becomes the responsibility of the employer and payment of minimum wage is required.
  • Weekly timesheets are important for you to record your duties and hours and for your employer to provide positive feedback on observed strengths and suggestions for improvement.
  • A Learning Plan developed in writing by the student, teacher, and employer provides focus for the learning situation.
  • Employers should keep records of the student's Work Experience experience for one year.

  • What Can Your Teacher and Supervisor Expect of You? Click to add a column before the current oneClick to add a column before the current one Click to add a row before the current one Click to add a row before the current one The following are some of the expectations your Work Experience teacher and supervisor have for you. Be on time. Be regular in attendance. Understand employer and/or supervisor expectations. Follow the employerÂ’s rules and regulations. Accept direction from supervising personnel. Phone the employer and the Work Experience teacher if you will be absent from work. Dress appropriately. Ensure appropriate personal grooming and hygiene. Maintain a positive attitude. Discuss problems and/or concerns with your Work Experience teacher and your employer. Be responsible. Follow safety instructions. Always work to the best of your ability. Hand in weekly timesheets to your Work Experience teacher. Ask questions when you do not understand something. Demonstrate interest and motivation. Accept even simple tasks you may be asked to do. Do not expect to be given significant responsibilities immediately. Use you time in the workplace to observe the way the business or industry operates and the duties of people in other jobs. Be sensitive to the expectations of your working situation in terms of dress code, behaviour expectations and language. If in doubt, use your supervisor as a model and ask questions. Follow instructions carefully and ask questions if you are unsure of something. Better to ask a question than to risk injury or damage to equipment. Safety procedures must be followed at all times. Many jobs have risks associated with them, but by following proper procedures and wearing protective equipment, serious hazards can be minimized or eliminated. Respect the confidential nature of information at the workplace. Business information must remain a company matter and is not to be discussed outside the workplace. Some tasks essential to the operation may not be challenging to your ability. Approach such tasks as opportunities to prove to your supervisor that you are capable of handling more.