FAQ for Employers

1. What Benefit will my company get out of employing a Work Experience applicant?
2. How much will it cost me?
3. Are they insured?
4. Where will they live?
5. What if they have a problem while they are living in the UK?
6. What sort of projects do they need to do?
7. Where do the applicants come from?
8. What about their English, how good is it?
9. How are they funded?
10. How do I get one of these applicants?

The following represent the most commonly asked questions by the companies that provide Work Placements.

What Benefit will my company get out of employing a Work Experience applicant?

Hosting an international applicant in your organisation can bring many both soft and hard benefits to your organisation.

Probably the most obvious one is that it gives you access to a source of skilled and motivated young persons who can undertake projects for you which will contribute to the development of your business - for example, the research you have been meaning to do but simply have not had the time or the person to do it.

Having an international applicant as part of your team will also bring an international dimension to your company activities, helping you to find out about cultural differences from a business point of view and give you access to different languages, which may help with export development.

Applicants are keen to develop new skills, tend to be very hard working and are anxious to implement the skills that they have gained whilst studying, in a practical environment. They may already have qualifications that will enhance your work force and are extremely cost efficient.

An applicant on a work placement can be seen as an extended interview, thereby saving on recruitment costs.

How much will it cost me?

We run two basic schemes:

* Work Experience (Internship), Work Trials, and Work and English Sandwich Programmes:

There is NO cost to you when applicants work in your company as part of one of these programmes! They receive no pay and you have to pay no National Insurance.
However, whilst you are under no obligation to pay any wages, many companies do in fact pay the applicant a small amount of pocket money, perhaps to cover bus fares, or give him or her some pocket money, but this is entirely up to you.

* Paid Work Placement Programme

This programme is only available in the hotel industry. Applicants must have studied, or be studying, Hospitality, and/or have some work experience.
As part of this programme, applicants in the UK generally receive £50,00 from the hotel as pocket money, and will work for at least 37.5 hours per week.

What is their status when they are working in my company?
For the duration of their placement, the applicant is to be considered as a full member of your team. They will be bound by the same terms and conditions (hours of work, discipline etc) and expected to work as directed by your management team.

Are they insured?

Yes. When they arrive in the UK, they will have their own medical and health insurance, and whilst working within your company, they will be covered by the various statutory insurances you will have in place.

Where will they live?

All applicants have their accommodation organised by Tellus. The majority will be living with English families, and some may be staying in self-catering accommodation.

What if they have a problem while they are living in the UK?
Should the applicant have any problems whilst in the UK, the Tellus team will work with them to overcome them, and for this, we have a dedicated team of accommodation, work placement and welfare officers, all experienced and trained to solve whatever problems arise.

What if they have a problem while they are living in the UK?

Should the applicant have any problems whilst in the UK, the Tellus team will work with them to overcome them, and for this, we have a dedicated team of accommodation, work placement and welfare officers, all experienced and trained to solve whatever problems arise.

What sort of projects do they need to do?

Overall, the applicants do not need any specific project to undertake. Their primary objective is to gain experience in a British company, and they want to contribute to your business in whatever way they can.

Where do the applicants come from?

We work with applicants from all nationalities.

What about their English, how good is it?

The standard of English amongst the applicants that come to the UK is generally very good. The main issue is that of confidence. Learning English in a classroom and using it in a day-to-day situation are very different functions, it normally takes an average applicant a week to gain enough confidence, and after this, you will not see it as an issue.

How are they funded?

Applicants that come to the UK get funding from a number of different sources, including the European Commission, their University, Academy or College, their local Government and their parents. It is because of this funding that they are able to live in the UK and work for you without being a drain on your financial resources.

How do I get one of these applicants?

If you like to learn more, or have an applicant placed in your company, please, contact our office and we will be very happy to give you whatever information we can. Please see the becoming a host company section to contact us.