Employer: how to organise a successful TET placement

Work experience (TET) is a great opportunity to show young people what the transport and logistics sector is really like. It’s also an investment in the future: a young person who has a good experience during a TET placement may later come back to the sector as an employee.

In this guide we’ll go through what’s needed to organise a TET placement and how to make it a meaningful experience for both the young person and your company.

Why take on a TET pupil?

The transport and logistics sector faces a real challenge: there’s a shortage of skilled workers, and young people’s interest in the sector is low. A TET placement is one of the most effective ways to change that.

When you take on a young person as a TET pupil, you show them what the sector’s day-to-day work is really like. They see real work, meet professionals and understand everything the sector involves. This experience can shape their future career choices.

At the same time, your company builds a reputation as a responsible employer investing in the sector’s future. That can give you a competitive edge later when you’re looking for new employees. A good reputation travels fast among young people and schools.

Practical arrangements before the TET placement

Good preparation makes the TET placement run smoothly for everyone involved.

Appoint a contact person

Choose a person responsible for inducting the TET pupil and providing day-to-day guidance. The contact person should be approachable and interested in mentoring young people. They’re the pupil’s main contact throughout the placement.

Draw up a plan for the placement

Write a simple plan for what the TET pupil will do during the placement. The day-by-day programme doesn’t need to be exact, but it’s worth offering the young person varied tasks so they see different sides of the sector. A good TET placement includes both shadowing and hands-on work.

Provide safety induction

The transport and logistics sector involves safety risks, so the TET pupil needs a thorough induction before starting their tasks. Go through at least:

• Safe working practices and how to move around near vehicles and machinery
• The protective equipment to be used and how to use it correctly
• What to do in emergencies and dangerous situations, and who to report them to
• Which tasks and equipment the young person must not use on their own

Check your insurance

Check that your company’s liability insurance covers TET pupils. Also go through any agreements with the school. It’s worth sorting these things out well before the placement begins.

How do you make the TET placement meaningful for the young person?

How successful the TET placement is depends largely on how the experience feels to the young person.

Give real tasks. If the TET pupil sits idle on the sidelines all day, they won’t come away with a very inspiring picture of the sector. Let them take part in real tasks: helping with loading, riding along with a driver on their route, or joining in warehouse work. Doing is the best way to learn.

Talk openly about your work. Share your own experiences. What makes your work meaningful? What challenges have you faced? What have you learned from new technology? Genuine enthusiasm is contagious.

Give feedback. The TET pupil wants to do a good job but doesn’t always know how they’re doing. Praise them when things go well, and guide them constructively when there’s room for improvement. Feedback is the fuel of learning.

Treat the young person as part of the team. Invite them to coffee breaks, introduce them to your colleagues and give them a sense of belonging. That’s what makes the experience memorable.

Safety and the employer’s responsibilities

The employer is responsible for the TET pupil’s safety throughout the placement.

TET pupils are usually 13 to 16 years old. In transport and logistics, this means the young person’s tasks must be matched to their age and skills. They must not operate dangerous machinery unsupervised or carry out tasks that exceed their physical capacity.

Make sure that:

• the young person’s tasks are suited to their age and skills
• they do not use dangerous machinery or equipment on their own
• they have the necessary protective equipment throughout the placement
• their supervisor is always within reach and keeps an eye on their work

How do you get started?

List your company’s TET placement with Hyppää kyytiin (Hop on board). The service connects transport and logistics companies with young people looking for a TET placement. You can describe the placement you’re offering and what tasks the young person will get to do.

Hyppää kyytiin is a project run by the Finnish Transport and Logistics association SKAL, aiming to increase the sector’s appeal among young people. You’re warmly welcome to take part.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to pay a TET pupil?

No, a TET placement is about learning, not paid work. Some companies offer a small daily allowance, but it isn’t compulsory.

What if the TET pupil gets injured?

Check in advance that your company’s liability insurance covers TET pupils. The school usually also has its own insurance for the pupil during the placement. Safety induction is the best way to prevent accidents.

How long is a TET placement?

Usually 1–2 weeks. The length is agreed with the school. Shorter placements can also be arranged.

Can a TET pupil later become an employee?

Yes. Many companies have found future summer workers and permanent employees through TET placements. It’s one of the best reasons to offer TET placements.

How do I get pupils interested in our company?

Be genuine. Show what the work is really like. Offer real tasks, responsibility and a good atmosphere. Young people value authenticity more than polished marketing.

Be part of the sector’s future

Organising a TET placement doesn’t take major resources, but its impact can be significant. Every young person who has a good experience in transport and logistics is a step towards a better future for the sector.

List your company’s TET placement with Hyppää kyytiin and show young people what the sector is really like.

Want to see how professionals in the sector talk about their work? Watch the videos. And if you’d like to see what the service looks like from a young person’s point of view, check out the page for young people.