HANDBOOK 2011-2012
Pointing you to career success
Introduction Student Crew provide students with the opportunity to work within the college while they study here. Student Crew offer flexible hours on a permanent part-time or flexible arrangement. You will receive training and you work the hours that are best for you. Student Crew offers students the chance to cope better financially whilst studying, as well as providing you with valuable working skills that are sure to be essential in your future career. Not only that but you will receive an employment reference on leaving college which will help you to get work or a university place. This handbook is for trained Student Crew working within North Hertfordshire College.
Heather Sanderson Head of Employer Links
Heather Heather Sanderson Sanderson
Lynn Schindler Heather Sanderson
Your Responsibilities as Student Crew
As a member of Student Crew you are employed by North Hertfordshire College as a casual member of staff, therefore it is essential that you behave like a staff member.
Top Ten Tips for work within North Hert 1. Where do you have to be to start the job - consider how long it will take to get there, will you need to take the college bus or get a lift from friends or family? 2. Who is your supervisor? Make a note of who to ask for when you arrive and report to reception each day 3. Remember – you are a member of staff now, always behave professionally and with enthusiasm at all times – you never know who you might be talking to 4. Always allow plenty of travel time so you arrive to the job on time, if you are held up contact the Student Crew Coordinatror, your supervisor or reception of where you are due to work 5. Think about what you’re wearing and dress smartly. Always wear the Student Crew shirt where possible, it’s likely this is what the job requires
king as Student Crew tfordshire College 6. Make sure you get a clear brief before you start work – what is expected of you and what outcomes do you need to achieve by the end of the job 7. You might be undertaking a number of tasks on each job don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re not sure 8. Even though you might be working with your friends, when you’re being paid to work the job comes first and having a laugh is done after hours 9. Always ask before taking a break, do not just leave. Have you arranged cover for your break time and take your lunches and break separately from your other Student Crew colleagues if necessary 10. At the end of the session always check out with your supervisor –and ask the question “Have I achieved everything you needed today?” and ensure they sign your work log
Student Crew Website The Student Crew website can be accessed to update contact information and to view jobs available outside North Hertfordshire College. You will need your log in e-mail and password. The website has your Student Crew Profile – make sure you keep this updated as it is the information that we send to potential employers – make sure you sell yourself, so that they choose you!
Getting work At least once a week you will receive an e-mail giving details of jobs available for trained Student Crew. The information will look like this: Job –– date 2012 – number of students required
Job Title Date Start Time Proposed Finish Time Location Name of Supervisor Job Description
You need to respond to the e-mail, by letting the Student Crew Co-ordinator know if you are interested in doing the job. Only do this if you know you are free and available to do the work. The Student Crew Co-ordinator will then let you know if you have been successful. If for any reason you are no longer able to do the work you must let the student crew co-ordinator know as soon as possible.
Getting Developed As a member of student crew we are committed to ensure you receive as much support in your role, not only while you are at college but also when you apply for work on completion of your studies. To support this we offer the following: 1. Feedback from your supervisor on all your work 2. 1:1 mentoring with Student Crew Team on completion of 15+ hours work as Student Crew 3. Access to the Student Crew Development Programme to increase your skills and get you ready for work.
The Student Crew Development Programme consists of the following training workshops and activities: - - - - - - -
Personal Skills and Qualities How to create the Perfect CV Getting it right at Interview Customer Service “World Host” Training (full day) Confidence Building and Understanding You Presentation Skills “In 10 Years I want to be” – Career Planning to Success
Details of the courses will be discussed with you at your 1:1 meeting so that sufficient training can be put in place.
What information will I receive from the college? Once you have done your first job as Student Crew you will be sent a contract from Human Resources. It is essential that you complete all the relevant information and return your contract to HR at the Hitchin site, including your bank account details (so you will get paid!) and the criminal conviction declaration form.*
*You cannot be paid until all the documents are returned.
How do I monitor my hours? There are work logs available at reception on all college sites. You should collect your work log at the start of the day, keep a log of the hours throughout the day, and then return it to reception when you leave, signed by your supervisor. Your supervisor for the day must sign off the hours that you have completed. Each day must be signed otherwise you will not get paid for the hours you have worked. It might be helpful if you keep a record yourself. This is helpful for when you complete your pay claim at the end of the month. Please note it is a legal requirement for the college to offer you breaks, and a lunch break, and these must be recorded on the timesheet. However, please note that you do not get paid for your breaks.
How does the payment work? Each month you must submit a Pay Claim detailing the hours you have worked, and e-mail it to studentcrew@nhc.ac.uk, on the last working day of the month. The Student Crew team will match up your hours claimed against the weekly work logs you have completed and left at reception. The monthly Pay Claim forms are then sent to the Finance Department and payment will reach your account at the end of the month following that which you have worked (i.e. if you do the work in August you will be paid for it at the end of September) NB- no Pay Claim received = no payment in your bank account.
What is my hourly rate? Student Crew are paid as follows: 21 years and over - £6.08 18-20 years - £4.98 16-17 years - £3.68
What people who use Student Crew say... “We certainly could not have coped without the students” “May I say that the crew were amazing - all of them. They had strengths in different areas and really complimented each other well. All of them were focussed, enthusiastic, co-operative, hardworking and showed initiative. A great credit to themselves and the college.” “He has taken a great interest in the supported students and their art work, he has been a great member of our team and has fitted in with ease” “She is a really hard working individual who will go above and beyond to increase student experience and is always ready and willing to take on additional tasks” “She was an excellent worker and achieved all we needed in the time given, we will certainly ask to have her with us again in the future.”
Student Crew say: “Working for student crew gave me the opportunity to work in different areas and meet people and get to know them and share ideas that might help me in the future.” “I really think that student crew is great work experience as it gets you the experience you will need in the future. You also get paid I don’t understand why would someone not want to do it?” “The work was well worth it and it was really rewarding. We even got to meet some celebrities! Although we were working we also found out a lot and it has helped me with my studies since” “The event I worked at was enjoyable and a fantastic opportunity to meet new people. We got to attend the workshops as well as work at the event and so we learnt a lot.”
Remember you only have one chance to make a first impression
What will yours be?
North Hertfordshire College studentcrew@nhc.ac.uk 01462 443007 Stevenage Centre Monkswood Way Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 1LA www.studentcrew.nhc.ac.uk