Dilemma

[Misty P]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this question, but here goes. I run a small business & have been approached by the daughter of a regular customer about doing school work experience with me. I have no problem with the whole concept, my problem lies in the fact that the girl has told me that the placement has no bearing at all with the actual career path she would like to follow & I believe she has been nudged by her family into coming to me as they know me & are regular customers. I think myself & staff would be wasting our time putting effort into coaching , training & supporting someone- when they have no desire to take a career in this particular field. I have spoken to a representative from the school, who told me that at the end of the day thre decision was mine & I had to do what I felt was right. How do I go about saying 'no' without battering the girls confidence & potentially losing good customers? Any suggestions?

[Jules001]

My daughter wrote and contacted lots of places for her work experience placement and was turned down by most of them, the reasons given were: They don't offer work experience placements, someone else was already doing it or they didn't have the appropriate insurance to be able to offer it. It is part of life that this girl will be turned down sometime, so don't feel too bad about that aspect. As you are a small business just explain that it is not practical for you to be able to offer it rather than focusing on the fact that she doesn't intend to follow that career, that way you shouldn't lose any face, however make sure you don't offer it to anyone else!

[Hawkwalk]

The idea of work experience is to gain experience in working life. Most school kids do not have much of an idea of their career path and just gaining valuable business experience will help.

If you are willing you could always sell the idea of learning valuable life skills rather than the ins and outs of your business.

[CheekyChops]

Maybe it has changed now but in my day, work experience was only for a week or two. What coaching, training and support would 2 weeks take?

Again, maybe it has changed but all I expected from work experience was to sit with different people doing different jobs, just to see how it worked. No training required as I wasn't really doing anthing of importance.

[Whickerman]

You sound like exactly the type of employer she should be doing her experience with. It's not that you'll directly train her for a career path, but she can do what work experience is supposed to do and learn the need for punctuality, how to deal with employers, fellow employees and customers, how a business runs, work-based rules and regs, that kind of thing. If it was my daughter, i'd want her taught by you too - you seem very concientious. Well done on that, and good luck.

[angeldraws]

You could still offer her valuable 'transferable skills' which she can take into another workplace in future, as above. Plus, it would be something to add onto your own experience. Just a thought......

[Misty P]

Thanks to you all for your input- I found it helpful to have other viewpoints on the issue.
I thought I'd just let you know the outcome..
Unfortunately I turned down her request for a work placement. The one thing that finally swayed my decision was a complete lack of motivation & the wrong kind of attitude from the girl. During a discussion with one of my employees she explained,
" I don't really want to come here, but all the best placements of gone"..
If it had been me, I'd be trying to sell myself up & not coming out with comments like that- don't you think?
Anyway, it's all done with for this year. Thanks again for everyones comments, much appreciated. One can always rely on ABers!