TWEX - Work Experience Programme
World of work familiarisation and simulation programme
Here at TMUK we have held work experience opportunities for year 10 students from our partner schools as well as for our Members’ children since 2015. As a business we acknowledged the need to create a talent pipeline and a skilled future workforce, whilst helping young people to develop the skills they need to enter industry with confidence, understand the important of health and safety within the workplace and to make more informed educational and careers decisions.
From 2015 until 2022, we partnered with the Industrial Cadets and provided a structured work experience programme with over 450 young people graduating at silver level.
Mandy Evans, Education Team at TMUK, was nominated and shortlisted to the last 4 for the Industrial Cadets Changemaker Award. This award celebrates an individual who has made a significant and impactful difference to support the success of the Industrial Cadets initiative.
In 2023, we developed our current TWEX programme to provide 30 hours of meaningful work experience and those that complete will achieve TWEX Gold level status.
The Programme
Here is a brief flavour of the programme:
The TWEX is either a 2 or 5 day programme which takes place at our Burnaston facility and is designed for year 10 (aged 14-15) and takes the form of an experiential work placement. Young people are assessed against a series of competencies and workplace behaviours. They get involved in team working activity, completing logbooks and presentations, whilst accepting a number of challenges along the way.
Pivotal to the week is the understanding of Toyota’s journey, its philosophies and principles that guide TMUK today. Young people learn about the similarities between school and the workplace, along with the importance of professional behaviour and good teamwork. Shop-floor visits and experiences allow them to see first-hand the Toyota principles in action, as well as the world-renowned Toyota Production System. They see teamwork at its best and view manufacturing processes at the heart of our facility.
The classroom challenges include a range of activities supporting both technical and production simulations which include understanding the importance of following instructions, reading technical drawings, manuals and working as a team.
Also included are career discussions, health and well-being awareness, portfolio creation, time management and revision techniques - all skills which are transferrable to their school and home life.
Upon successful completion of the 5-day programme, the young people create and deliver a presentation of their experience and learning to members of the TMUK management team, TMUK apprentices and school representatives.
There is also an opportunity for a career discussion with TMUK members and apprentices.
Each year, approximately 120 places are offered to partner schools and member children.
Whilst we would like to support all young people with this programme, our resources are limited.
