​Work placements are an opportunity for young people to become familiar with working in a professional workplace, while also helping them learn about and understand the variety of jobs that are available in Orkney.

Work placements can help young people identify the sorts of jobs they may – or may not – be interested in and can help them make informed choices about their future.
This includes what subjects they should study at school, or identifying the available pathways into a career such as apprenticeships or further and higher education qualifications.

Undertaking a work placement will also help young people develop transferable skills which will benefit them in whatever job they may choose in the future.

Work Placements during covid-19

Due to current Coronavirus restrictions, it may not be possible for you to undertake a placement within a workplace at the moment.  Please speak to your Guidance Teacher or DYW School Co-ordinator about current procedures and to find out if it will be possible for you to undertake a work placement.  If you are undertaking a Foundation Apprenticeship, please speak to your College Tutor.

work placement guides

To support employers, young people and their parents in this journey, three booklets have been developed to help explain the different kinds of work placements on offer in Orkney and help everyone prepare for a work placement to enable everyone to get the most out of the experience. Copies of the guides can be accessed below

A Guide for Employers

A Guide for Young People

A Guide for Parents/ Guardians

Work placement database

​A database of local employers who have been approved to undertake a work placement can be accessed below.

This database details the different employers and types of placement they can support.

Work Placement Database

risk assessment template

Every employer who is on the approved database will have been subject to a health and safety and risk assessment check before being approved to take on a placement. However, employers in medium or high risk environments may need to carry out an induction with the young person at the start of the placement to explain the risks and how they are controlled.

We appreciate that many employers may already have an appropriate risk assessment process in place, but if you do not the below template has been developed to assist you.

Risk Assessment Template