A rewarding, fun and engaging experience!

Information for Students

Welcome! This is your first step into the exciting world of the motor industry. By going on a work experience placement you will develop an understanding of:

• how a modern motor vehicle business works
• the world of work
• what skills, abilities and attitudes are required in the motor industry
• the different jobs in the retail motor industry.   

The experience will also give you the opportunity to

• put yourself forward to the business as a potential future employee
• make informed decisions about what type of career to follow
• link what you learned in the classroom to the world of work.

This toolkit has been produced to help employers and organisers make sure you get the most from your experience.  This toolkit also contains a number of documents for you to use during your work experience placement.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What will I do on my work experience?

You will gain an understanding of the world of work and the skills, abilities and attitudes you will require to be successful in the workplace and how these relate to your school work. You will experience what it is like to be employed in the retail motor industry and, depending on the size and type of company, the range of jobs available. You may work with people in technical roles repairing vehicles in the workshops, assisting service advisors and receptionists dealing with customers, providing admin back up to ensure the garage runs smoothly, or supporting the sales and parts departments. A work experience placement can provide an insight into what a job in the motor industry is like and help you to make informed decisions about our future.

Will I attend at the same times as when I am at school?

The hours you attend work experience will be agreed with the employer and your placement organiser. However, for you to gain a real insight into the world of work and experience the daily routine, you should expect your working day to be the same as the people you will be working beside.

What if I find this isn’t the job I want to do?

Then you have learned something from the experience and will be able to rethink your career plans. Even if you find that a job in the motor industry is not what you expected you will have gained a valuable understanding of what the world of work is like. Things like team working, communication, good timekeeping and appearance are important in any job and every work experience placement provides the opportunity to see why these matter, helping you prepare for the career you eventually decide is right for you.

Will potential employers recognise my work experience?

Yes. Employers realise the benefit of work experience and are more likely to recruit someone who has attended a work experience placement. You may be given a certificate recognising a successful placement and you should ensure that details of your placement are added to your CV. Many work experience placements can lead to an offer of a job.

Where can I go for information on degree courses / university work placements?

Gradcracker is the UK's careers website for engineering and technology students.  Students can find the latest opportunities relevant to their degree discipline and can search for graduate programmes, graduate vacancies and work placements. 

Gradcracker is an advertising platform for the employers and careers resource for students.  Employers pay to advertise on gradcracker.com and all the student services they provide are free.  Gradcracker is not a recruitment agency and therefore does not charge employers to employ students.