PLC work placements

magentas

my little sister started her PLC course last month and as I'm sure you're all aware needed to secure a one day per week work placement
However out of a class of 10 only 2 have secured placements so far

Is it true that you automatically fail the course if you can't get work placement?

she has been BADLY let down...TWICE

first place she went in and had an informal interview and showed them her CV
they told her they'd be delighted to take her on and set a date for her to start (2weeks later)

the day before she was due to start she rang just to confirm everything and was told that they wouldn't be taking her on as she didn't have enough experience...only told her the DAY before when SHE rang them imagine:mad:

anyway, she went looking again and got a placement with a voluntary organisation that works with a subject very close to my heart and hers (animal welfare)
so she was over the moon. they gave her timetable and all (Fridays 10-3 with break)
they asked her to go to local Tesco to do some fundraising for them the Sat before she started her placement which she gladly did from 12-4 selling stuff and collecting money
mam gave her €20 to donate as well

the next wednesday (2days before starting placement) the pr!cks rang the college and told her tutor that they wouldn't be able to take her on as they don't open on Fridays

they didn't even have the decency to phone her (she had given them landline &mobile)
she had her interview with them on the Friday in their office unless they have changed their opening days which I must look into but it was so lousy

she feels very used by them and worst thing is the week before she had been offered a placement by hotel which she turned down as she had accepted the other place:mad:

I am so mad and she is very upset by all this.

sorry for the long rant but basically what I'm asking is
1. Is it an auto-matic fail and
2. Is there anything she can do about the places that let her down?

Also just want to suss if people are finding it difficult to get PLC placements in general?

cheers

Mrs Garth Brooks

Thats lousy of them. Especially since its for college and most them dont pay so they're getting free work anyway. What's the difference?

Theres about 20 people on my course and we all got work experience no bother. Though some of us has to travel a good bit to do the work experience and getting up at 6 in the morning but its worth it.

implausible

That's a pain in the ass. Some places get inundated with work experience students and forget their manners. She'll just have to keep looking, work experience is an essential part of her course. You haven't said what type of course it is, maybe people here could give you suggestions about places to look.

Screaminmidget

Its only a fail if you dont have the set number of days completed at the end of the year. she could work everyday through the holidays or at weekends to make up the days if she has to. I personally didnt have too much trouble finding work experience, but i know people who did. from what ive heard, a diocesan youth service(DYS) would be very good in helping students with work placement.

implausible

Screaminmidget wrote: »

Its only a fail if you dont have the set number of days completed at the end of the year. she could work everyday through the holidays or at weekends to make up the days if she has to.

That's right about the set amount of days, but depending on the course, there could be insurance issues with going in over the holidays.

Screaminmidget

deemark wrote: »

That's right about the set amount of days, but depending on the course, there could be insurance issues with going in over the holidays.

You are right.Students should have been given a cover notice at the start of the year stating what they are covered under. (no more thab 5m off the ground, not exposed to harsh weather conditions etc.)

magentas

hey guys thanks a mill for all replies

she just rang me there this evening to tell me she got a placement!
thrilled for her hope it all works out this time
I guess sometimes you're just unlucky

plus her grant just came through so she's over the moon!:D