Retention+of+Hosts

=Retaining Hosts=

Day One Check
Visit or call the supervisor on the placements first day to ensure students have arrived and all is well. This is especially vital for new supervisors, or hosts taking discreet student. Ian

Relationship management
Hosts like regular visits to keep stay in touch and maintain relationships. In this way you can reassure the host they are on the right track, share ideas to improve the placement and gain first hand feedback from the host. Brett

Respite
Stay close to your hosts and be sensitive to indications they may need a placement respite. In many cases the host won’t outright say they need a break until the stress levels build and they withdraw completely. An alternative is to appeal to the teacher that you feel the host really needs an easy student this time. E.g. a student who wishes to pursue a career in this industry. Rowan

10, 50, 100
Award hosts certificates to recognise they have reached their 10th, 50th or 100th host placement milestone. Ian

Quality Awards
Award hosts for evidence of quality placements. This can come from your observations, teacher or student feedback. Ian

Probe for the secrets
Hosts that have taken a dozen or more students over time are clearly doing something right. Its good practice to dig into this by asking the host “What’s your secret” to their popularity with the students? They will be rightly flattered, but don’t rest here. Probe to find out what they are doing that is so good. The lessons should be added to this document and encouraged across all employers. Ian