Employer checks could hit work experience opportunities

The level of work experience available to young people could be under threat because of costly new employer checks, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has argued.

Under the new scheme, the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will conduct checks on those individuals responsible for supervising work experience pupils.

The ISA will run the checks through the Criminal Records Bureau at a cost of £64 each.

The scheme requires the person who is supervising the work experience pupil to register.

However, the FSB has argued that, depending on the nature of the work experience placement and the number of people responsible for carrying out any supervision, this could mean that several individuals in a business may have to register.

The FSB said it believed that the cost and administration burdens involved would prevent many small businesses from offering work experience.

John Wright, the FSB’s national chairman, said: “The Government is pumping money into entrepreneurship schemes and the skills agenda and is constantly talking about getting employers involved in schools. This new scheme totally contradicts those efforts.

“Work experience placements enable schoolchildren to appreciate how business operates, the range of opportunities available and the skills required. They are absolutely vital in ensuring young people get an early understanding of the world of work. Our fear is that fewer and fewer employers will be willing to offer work experience placements once this scheme is introduced.”

Mr Wright added: “The intentions of the scheme are of course absolutely sound, but there must be a way of protecting young people who may be at risk without diminishing the opportunities of thousands of school pupils every year.”

More information about the ISA is available at www.isa-gov.org.uk

Date:12 May 2008