Transcript Slide 1

ETS is the UK-based host organisation and is responsible for organising
accommodation, work placements and ensuring the welfare of participants.
Over 25 years of experience in the field of European Mobility programmes,
sending to / receiving from 10 European Countries
Staff – ETS Penarth
Penny Mathews – ETS Director
Anne Wendt – Work Placement Manager
Nicolo Paolucci – Work Placement Assistant
Keith Griffiths – Accommodation Manager
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TWO Host families during your stay in the UK
› During Language Course
› During work placement
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‘Family’ is a loose term: can be single person, elderly, young family…
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Host Family is not a Hotel – you are a guest in their home and have to
respect their rules and culture.
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Communication: Some families are more communicative than others
Single room accommodation, sometimes more than one student
 please ensure your room is kept clean and tidy
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Travel time: up to 1 hour each way to language course / work
placement
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Meals provided by the family:
› Breakfast = toast / cereals / tea / coffee
› Evening meal = 1 course, no starters, desserts
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Different Eating Habits!
› You have to adapt to British Food which is very different
› Accept differences, no French food or special requests
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Animals: Most British People have pets (esp. Cats / dogs)
› allergy certificate from your doctor required if you are allergic
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Internet access cannot be guaranteed
› Internet access at ETS Penarth (student laptop, free WiFi)
› Free access in many public places, libraries, pubs etc.
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Costs of living / energy / heating
› Only have heating on for a few hours during the day
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Placements will depend on
› Your level of English
› Your qualification and / or experience
› Availability of placements / seasonal aspects
› Duration of the placement
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You need to be realistic (your skills / level of English)
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This is a work placement NOT a Professional Training programme
› You will be able to assist your colleagues with tasks
› You will not be able to work as manager / manage important
project
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Placement Information – you will receive details of your work as soon
as possible before your arrival in the UK
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full time = 5 days out of 7 = 37.5 hours
Evening, early morning and Weekend work required
No holidays
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Placement locations usually in
› The Midlands, South Wales or West Country.
› Usually not in London
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General Dress code for Hospitality placements:
› Excellent personal hygiene and presentation
› If any further requirements, we will contact you prior to departure
Women:
› Black, closed toe, flat shoes
› Black skirt (knee length or longer)
› or black trousers
› White shirt / blouse
› Discrete make-up,
› clear or no nail polish, hair tied back
Men:
black shoes
black trousers
white shirt
Your tasks will be various, and you will experience
different departments of the Hotel:
 Reception:
you will assist your colleagues with
welcoming clients, answering the phone, booking,
etc.,
 Restaurant: you will have to be prepared to help
there if needed. This will give you the opportunity to
have customer contact and significantly improve
your English
 Events: if the Hotel has a conference room, you
might help with the organisation of events,
preparing the room and helping during the event
itself.
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Trainee in the UK
› 1-2 weeks – getting used to the company,
› Colleagues getting to know you / your skills
› Learn about the company
› You need to prove yourself!
› Be mature and professional, Show initiative
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Expect to be treated like any other employee of the company
Be respectful – UK is very multi cultural – you are expected to respect
everyone regardless of their race, religion, sexuality etc.
 British People are extremely (‘over’) polite (compared to
France/Germany)
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Accept differences in culture and approaches to work
 you won’t change British culture!!!!
Travel
 Commuting up to 1 hour is normal in the UK
 Ca. £60 / month (outside of London)
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Follow Up Phone Calls
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3 telephone follow up calls at work placement
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Questions about your work placement and accommodation
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Discuss any concerns
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Comprehensive online questionnaires
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Personal log-in details for web-based questionnaires
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Evaluation of host families, language course, work placement
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In case of a problem:
1. Speak to Supervisor / Host Family
2. Speak to ETS for advice
3. Meeting at work / home  you, ETS, family / supervisor
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Emergency number for out of office hours
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Very nice medium sized town just on outskirts of Cardiff
Around 30,000 inhabitants
By the Seaside
Regular buses / trains to Cardiff (ca. 15 minutes)
ETS office in the centre
Capital of Wales
Very modern city centre
Lots of things to do during weekends / evenings
Culture / shopping / sightseeing
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Bristol area
University city
Rich maritime history
Easy access to Cardiff, London,
South coast, West Midlands
Dominated by Birmingham
– second largest city in the UK
Modern city with good arts, music and cultural scene
Multi-cultural area
– large asian and black-carribean community
Major industrial centre of the UK
Lichfield, Wolverhampton, Coventry incl.
Central location – easy access to other major cities