Work experience insurance
I've received several questions from non-school aged people about arranging insurance cover for a work experience placement. These days' companies are reluctant to agree to work placements without the individual insuring himself or herself in case of accident.
To date, I've only found one place that provides work experience cover - insurance brokers I C Frith & Associates.
I met them at The Courier-Mail Career Expo in Brisbane. The company has provided cover for some years in all states and territories for a range of occupations. This includes office workers, IT&T, hairdressers, some roles working with animals and engineers.
Prices vary from under $85 for 15 days over three months doing an office job to $632 for nine months "unlimited" cover for a dangerous job like roof tiling. For more info, visit the website: www.icfrith.com.au or look them up in the phone book/online director. They have offices in Sydney and Brisbane. Prices vary from under $100 to
I must say that the thought of anyone working for nothing for more than a few weeks worries me greatly.
However, placements can be a good way for school leavers and graduates to get something on their resume.
It's also useful for career switchers, those returning to work after a long absence such as rasing children or caring for an invalid family member. It can also be good for expatriates returning to Australia only to find out how parochial many employers can be.
I used "work experience" to get back into the media after seven years overseas in Hong Kong and I've known several people who have used work experience to get a foot in the door of a new industry. It's also good for those trying to get back into the workforce after an absence. I used it to get something local on my resume after seven years overseas in Hong Kong and London, as some of the returning expatriates who have written to me have found out.
Not every company provides work experience arguing that it creates work looking after an extra person. To help you be specific about what you could bring to the table, research each company and industry you plan to approach. Most companies have placements of a week to several weeks. If you go beyond that, you need to get paid.
By Kate Southam, Editor of careerone.com.au