Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Constraints
Activity 22.2
Most students on short periods of work experience
tend not to travel outside their immediate local area.
Where you live will have a bearing on the number and
type of placement opportunities open to you. If you
live in a town or city, you are likely to have a good
choice of placement types, for example transport
providers, hotels, travel agencies, airports, etc. In a
country area there may not be the same number of
placements on offer, so you may have to travel further
to secure one that suits you. Countryside placements
include National Parks, stately homes, outdoor activity
centres, coach companies, farm accommodation and
tourist information centres.
Working with another member of your group, make
a list of the constraints that each of you will need
to take into account when deciding on your work
experience.
This activity is designed to provide evidence for P1.
Work placement documentation
To secure your placement you will need to complete
a certain amount of documentation. Depending on
advice from your tutor, this could include a letter of
enquiry or application, a curriculum vitae (CV), an
interview checklist and a letter to formally accept the
placement.
Other constraints that may affect your choice of
placement include:
•
Transport access - having access to public transport
or other means of getting to the placement will need
to be taken into account. This could be a particular
issue if you live in a rural area;
Enquiry letters and letters of
application
•
Travelling time - this should be kept to a minimum
unless you have chosen to travel further afi eld to
work with a particular company;
You may decide to send letters to a number of possible
placement employers to see what positions may
be available - you should include a copy of your CV
with each one. Alternatively, you may just send one
application letter to a specifi c organisation that you may
have already contacted informally. Whatever approach
you take, it goes without saying that any letters should
not include spelling mistakes or grammatical errors!
They should be to the point, look uncluttered and be
presented in a professional manner, using a range of
'action' words such as achieved, introduced, set up,
established, fi nished, developed, planned, completed,
created and reorganised. Unless requested to apply in
your own handwriting, it is usual to write your letter on
a computer and save it for future use. An example of
a letter of application for a work placement in a travel
agency is shown in Figure 22.1.
•
Hours of work - these need to agreed before the
start of your placement, in line with the custom
and practice at the workplace and subject to legal
requirements. To make the work experience as
realistic as possible it is normal for students on
placement to work the same hours as permanent
staff. You may be asked to work shifts in certain
placements, for example hotels, airports, large
attractions, etc.
•
Personal commitments - perhaps concerning
mobility or health-related matters that may affect
where you can go for your placement or times when
you will not be available due to prior commitments,
e.g. examinations.
Most short placements are unpaid, but you shouldn't
be expected to have to pay for equipment or special
clothing - these should be provided by the employer
as necessary. Placement employers sometimes offer to
cover students' travel costs or your college/school may
have a fund to help you with this expenditure.
