Work Placement

Summer 2024 Activity

Summer 2024 Activity: Start your search for your perfect placement.

As part of your study programme you will participate in a 30 hour work placement, this will normally take place during WEX Week, 3rd to 7th February 2025. Your teachers will let you know when you start college if the arrangements for your work placement will be different.

Part time work cannot be used for your 30 hour work placement.

We ask that you find your own placement as this will ensure you find one you will enjoy, are interested in and meets your needs. The process of contacting employers for a placement opportunity is a great way for you to develop your employability skills and could widen your network of contacts.

The summer break is the perfect time to start contacting employers to give you a head start, as lots of students will also be looking for a placement. Below you will find some useful hints and tips to help you get your search started.

You will have been given a consent form which you will need to get signed (if you are under 18yrs) and bring with you to your enrolment appointment at the college.

If you are successful in finding a placement over the summer please let us know by completing section 2 on the consent form. This information will be passed on to the Careers & Employability Team.

Don’t worry if you don’t manage to secure a placement over the summer, bring in your signed consent form to your enrolment appointment and there will be plenty of support during the first term from your teachers and the Careers & Employability Team.

Hints and tips to finding your own work placement

Having the initiative to find your work placement is one of the best ways to enter the world of work and it will help your reputation as a great student and employee too. It also means that you get the experience that you really want and employers will be impressed by your enthusiasm, motivation and maturity. Win win!!

CHECKLIST FOR FINDING YOUR OWN PLACMENT

Research

  • Consider the most suitable type of company/business or skills you need to develop linked to your course and the type of career you want to progress onto.

  • What do you want to get out of this opportunity?

  • What skills do you want to use?

  • What kind of organisation do you want to work in? Size? Local/national? Reputation?

  • Ask parents/guardians, family, friends for contacts and ideas

  • Search online, local business directories and newspapers

  • Check transport options to get to businesses you’re interested in

  • Keep a tracker of your research

Preparation

  • Prepare key information about yourself

  • Find out some information about the organisation

  • Find out the best person to contact in the organisation

  • Prepare your CV and an email template

Getting support

  • Ask family or friends to review your CV and emails, and to practise phone calls with you

  • Ask for help if you’re feeling stuck

Other things to consider

  • How will you get to your placement every day? What are travel connections like?

  • What skills do you want to develop? Will this company enable you to do that?

  • What is the reputation of the company? Are they known as being a good place to work?