A guide to working in Britain

Work experience can be offered in a number of areas, although the paid work is mostly  in hospitality – hotels, restaurants and bars – and in health care – care homes, nursing homes and hospitals. Other placements in offices and factories are also available but they will normally be offered as unpaid. This is due to the great difficulty in persuading employers to give placements to international students who do not have the experience or language to make a net contribution to the business. These placements will vary in length but normally last 3 months or more.

The working opportunities broadly fall into five categories which Management International  can help with:

1. Work as part of a Sandwich course which will last for at least six months and normally an academic year.
2. Work as an unpaid block of time, called an Internship – minimum one month, maximum six months – where the individual builds experience
3. Work after the completion of a Bachelor or Master degree in a British university. This is the Graduate programme and can last for up to six months or when the visa expires, before the individual must return to their home country. Most opportunities are in the hospitality and tourism areas. For some overseas students there is also the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme (SEGS) which operates in the same way as the Graduate scheme but lasts for one year and in science, engineering or technology fields.
4. A  Business work permit which lasts for five years and is available to those who have skills in the areas where there are shortages and where a company can be found to sponsor the person.
5. The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme is self explanatory. The government are not specific which job areas nor the level of qualification apply to this category, and applicants don’t even need a job and work permit to go to. However the criteria for acceptance onto this programme are both unclear but pitched very high.

Working Time

Different placements operate different working times. Students in hotels, for instance,  may have to work different shifts including overnight or at week ends. Many placements, particularly hotels and care homes will work a split shift system, which will operate on a 24 hour day. Your placement provider will advise on the hours of work that you will undertake. However the employment rules mean that you cannot work more than 48 hours over six days in a seven day week. The normal contract will be for 39 hours with two days a week off; and extra hours may be offered as overtime. Any work undertaken while you are studying the course must be limited to 20 hours per week.

Remuneration

 Work experience students will receive at least the national minimum wage for the hours worked. At the time of writing the minimum wage is £4.10/hour for 18-21 year olds and £4.70/hour for those over 22 (these rates normally increase on an annual basis)*. Wages are usually paid one week in arrears.

It is normal practice for those working in the UK to open a bank account, and obtain a National Insurance number from the local, government department of Social Security. In both cases your passport will be required. Staff at Anglo International or your college will help you to open a bank account if required.

Dress Code

 British companies expect their employees to be smartly dressed, with collar and tie for the males and skirts or dresses for the females. However there are great variations in attitude with some employers being more relaxed. Those going to hotels or care homes will often be required to wear a uniform. Further information will be available once you have applied for a specific course.

Accommodation

In the case of residential employment eg hotels, care homes the placement provider will arrange accommodation. However, in many cases the student will live in separate, external accommodation rather than on the company premises. Accommodation is usually provided on a shared room basis. In all cases the student is responsible for the cleanliness of the room. They are also responsible for their own laundry. The arrangement  for the provision of food will also vary according to type of accommodation provided and the policy of the placement provider.

The student is expected to pay for food and accommodation from their remuneration. A total charge of around £95 per week should be expected for this element of the programme, although this can be reduced through shared living in an apartment etc. The placement provider and/or accommodation provider will advise the student how and when to pay for their accommodation.

Transfers to Placement

Transfers to placements from the place of study will be arranged by the college or the placement provider and students advised of the details. Please check during the induction period about the arrangements for this transfer. The student will be required to pay the costs of the transfer.

General Information

Applicants assessed as having a lower level of spoken English cannot expect to begin their placement with the same amount of responsibility as someone that is able to understand the needs of the customers and more easily able to follow instructions from their Manager. It is possible that, at initial assessment the student is deemed to be unable to follow the course and the work experience. In the unlikely event of this happening the student must undertake a 12 week pre -sessional English programme prior to starting the Diploma. The minimum entry level of IELTS (or equivalent ) will be strictly upheld. It is therefore very important that the student gets a reliable English test and talks their level through with their agent prior to paying the courses fees.

Management and Professional Development