By Cleo Sutton, St Catherine's

As work experience becomes more popular throughout schools, with more pupils needing placements, fewer organisations are willing to offer places.

The main reason for work experience is to teach the younger generation about the world of work. It tests the student on their job options for the world. Every student is prepared to listen and take advice on and learn from their experience.

Many organisations do not want to offer placements. They believe employing young students is a waste of time, effort and money.

There can be a lot more to a young pupil than meets the eye. Some people who take on work experience students believe "it's an extra, helping pair of hands", "there is someone different to discuss every work day with", and "it is nice to have someone extra who is willing to learn and work".

For my two weeks' work experience I went to Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School. There I worked helping out Mrs McAleese in her class and enjoyed the whole experience.

It showed me a different side to the workplace and gave me a taster of the work world to come.

It also introduced me to the real world' after school.

I spoke to Mrs McAleese and she quoted: "I enjoy work experience students. It's a pleasure to have another type of student in the classroom that is willing and able to help me."

Throughout the two weeks I learnt new skills and was able to put my own skills to the test. I was able to use problem-solving, number work, having a calm approach to things and the use of communications to help out the children.

Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School offers placements and is able to show the younger generations the world of work. They can offer and handle work experience students.

The one question is, is your company willing to recruit and able to help with the education of young work experience students today?