1. Work Placement Duration
Work Placement takes place in the second term of the Academic Year. Placements usually commence on the first week of January and continue for 17 weeks from that date.
2. Placement Remuneration
Placements may be paid or unpaid, depending on the employer. We advise employers that lunch and travel expenses be covered, where possible. Where students are working remotely a stipend should be provided to the student to cover expenses related to Wi-Fi, phone, and electricity costs.
Students should remember that work placement is an opportunity for students to learn and develop new skills in an alternative environment to the classroom.
3. Can I source my placement myself?
Yes, we encourage you to self-source a placement. However, please ensure you have reviewed and discussed your CV with your Work Placement Co-coordinator before applying. Your placement must be confirmed and approved by the Work Placement Coordinator before you begin your placement.
4. I am expected to work remotely for part or all my placement, is that OK?
We expect several placements will become remote working experiences. If your placement involves any remote working, then please let your Work Placement Co-ordinator know. We strongly advise that your employer provides you with the necessary technical resources, equipment and support so that you can conduct your role. Most employers will provide induction and training, which should include how to access their services for staff remotely.
If my work placement involves working remotely, is there any advice or tips?
Remote working setup:
- Ensure you have the tools you need to do your job e.g. good access to internet, approved video conferencing app as used by your placement organisation, noise cancelling headphones. Other usual equipment includes wireless keyboards and mouse.
- If you need to make phone calls to your work colleagues, discuss with your Work Supervisor/manager any costs incurred and how to expense it.
- Find out the process for document sharing such as Google docs, SharePoint, OneDrive etc. for your placement organisation.
- Protect your workspace and time: Set up a work area where there are few distractions from others and set office hours. Set ground rules for people who you share your space and communicate these to family/flatmates. If possible, blur your background for conference calls, a facility you will find in ‘Settings’ in most video conferencing apps.
- Ergonomics: Use a comfortable chair with good back support and if possible, a headset for conference calls. Know your employer’s remote working policy: Follow procedures and guidelines of your placement organisation on remote working.
- Keep to a schedule: Keep yourself to a schedule especially when it comes to the beginning and the end of the day.
- Communication: Since you are not in an office and a few desks down from your co-workers or manager, schedule 1-1 meetings to connect with your work colleagues or manager regularly through online chat or video conferencing. Keeping up regular communication is important as working from home can sometimes feel isolating.
- Take time out for yourself: When the line between “work” and “home” sometimes gets blurred, and you can find yourself stuck on your computer screen for a longer period. Set a regular routine. Schedule regular breaks and give yourself time off for fitness, well-being and ensure you are eating healthy. Know when to “log-off” and it is important to set regular breaks and an official “log-off” time for the end of your working day.
5. Do I have to make up time off for bank holidays?
No. Bank holidays are public holidays for employees and therefore work placement students.
6. I have a Doctor’s appointment/important family event on one of the days that I am on work placement. Who do I contact to get time off work?
You should contact the Work Placement Supervisor in your workplace and then advise your Work Placement Co-ordinator in IADT. In cases where a medical note or a hospital letter is available confirming a medical appointment or treatment then the students do not have to make up the hours taken off work.
7. I want to take a few days off/a weeks’ holidays on work placement. Who do I contact to organise this?
You should advise your Work Placement Co-ordinator and then liaise with your Work Placement Supervisor to agree this time off. If you take a week off then you must work a week past the initial 17 weeks work placement deadline in order to fulfil the 17 weeks criteria.
8. I have a profile of Learner Needs. Do I have to make my employer aware of this before I start work placement?
It is the student’s responsibility to identify, at an appropriate time, what if any profile of learner needs they have. This will allow the students and the work placement supervisor to work together to find work placement projects to maximise the student’s learning and skill set.
9. After a few weeks on work placement I feel that I am not being given a variety of work to do. What should I do?
You should contact your Work Placement Co-ordinator. Together you can have a conversation and try and understand what if any options exist to change the situation.
10. Can I complete my work placement assessments during my work placement hours and count them towards my 30 hours to be worked per week?
The hours reported each week in the e-log should relate only to tasks connected to the work placement role. College assignments and assessments must be completed outside of the work placement hours each week.
11. I am having some personal, family, financial difficulties that are impacting on my ability to keep working on work placement? Who should I contact?
You should contact your Work Placement Co-ordinator who can advise you on what supports are available to you within IADT and what options there are to continue to assist you in completing your work placement.
12. My work placement company want me to work on with them over the summer. Can I do this?
Once the key work placement criteria are completed in terms of the assessment and working 17 weeks for 30 hours students can by mutual consent work on past the end of the IADT work placement end date.
13. My work placement company want me to start work before the official IADT work placement start date? Can I do this?
There should be no difficulty with an earlier start date. It is important that IADT are made aware of the earlier start date so that they can record it. You will then finish work placement slightly earlier than your class mates who will start on the official IADT start date.
14. I am having a difficulty on my work placement with a colleague/manager? Who should I talk to?
You should contact your Work Placement Co-ordinator who can discuss your issue with you so that she can try and offer the correct supports and options where appropriate.