ABSTRACT
Work experience is an aspect of the secondary curriculum that is worth considering critically, simply because so many students worldwide are now engaged in it-either for short periods of two or three weeks, or longer-term placements. Work experience also occurs in courses of further and higher education and in schemes for young people who may have left formal education but are seeking employment. But what is it? What is it for? Why has it been introduced into the curricula of so many schools and colleges? How has it evolved over the years?
