Many employers love to take on work experience kids who are willing to work and are ready to learn, as it is a learning experience after all. As it shows us children what work we would be expected to if we took a job there also to see what opportunities are out there for pupils. And the employers learn how to work with teenagers and what qualities they look for in over 16 part time help and what to expect in terms of attitude and standard of work.
When I asked for their opinions to the question of “Is work experience of value?” to one my peers they said, “My opinion before beginning my work experience is that it will benefit my social and physical maturity, as well as giving me the opportunity to experience life in work.” At St Patrick’s school work experience involves pupils who are in year eleven and not year ten years as in some other schools the year eleven pupils tend to be more mature and will socialise better with adults.
From the teachers I discussed this with their opinion was that it’s a good thing. However, they stress the importance that the pupils need a balance between schoolwork and works experience. However, pupils may not get the placement they wish which will have an impact upon the quality and benefit of works experience for the pupil. Works experience will not replace qualifications which are much more important.
My experience involved an introduction to the work place, health and safety and animal welfare, which during my time at the stables I was involved at the visit by the vet. My duties included cleaning of the horse’s stables and the welfare of the horses, (food, water and exercise). After these duties I was able exercise the horses, on my first day I had to ride Bramble who is the laziest horse I have ever have known. Whilst exercising Bramble at a canter up the top end of the arena a loud plane went overhead. Then the next thing I knew Brambles head went down and we were hurtling toward the other end of the arena so when we got to the other end I managed to wrestle Bramble back to walk. I had never seen Bramble move like that I was totally shocked it just shows horse are unpredictable. From this I learnt the importance of safety and the need to be alert to things outside my control, without my good horse riding skills there may have been an injury to both the horse and myself.
As part of the understanding of stables management we had put the horses in to the small arena for a run around, as they need to stretch their legs after being in their stables for two days. After they were safety put into the arena I went to top up the small ponies water buckets, which need doing every morning. When I came back to the arena I noticed the gate to the small arena was open. I thought Dan one of the stable hands had taken them back into the stables. To find out I followed the hoof prints in the snow. They lead toward the fields on the other side of the stables just as I went to investigate where they had gone a familiar face met me. It was Molly my favourite horse at Stainsby Grange Equestrian Centre she had escaped along with the others and they had somehow opened the gate they all went down to their usual field but because they could not get into the field the stayed on the lane leading to the riding school. I raced back in to the stables and told Dan that the horses were loose in the lane. So Anna, Dan and I went to go bring them back. Dave went to his car so they could not escape even further down the lane and away from the school. The horses all trotted on the ice back up the lane then in to the smallest field near the stables, so we left them there and brought them back to the stables later on in the afternoon.
During my time their I was involved as part of the team with some of the riding lessons. The lessons ranged from absolute beginners to very good riders. For the beginners you have to walk alongside them with a lead rein to control the pony. This is a very responsible job as the well being and welfare of the rider is entrusted to the leader. This experience taught me consider and plan ahead risks and things, which could cause the rider not to enjoy the ride.
So in conclusion my view is that for me work experience has a big value, as I was able learn as well as having a good time. I cannot understand why some pupils do not learn anything and just slack of as I do not think they would have fun as it would be a waste of time. If I had a chance I would go back on work experience there or to another riding school as it was great and taught me a lot more about horses then I had learnt from books.
I think works experience is of value and pupils can with the right placement gain a great deal from the experience. I also believe it can also help you decide on your career options and choices. As well as give you a wake up call in to the real world were you are on your own to decide your own future as people wont doing it for you. For me it has confirmed my desire to work with horses as a career, but as yet I do not know what that would be.
