Work placements are the ideal way to introduce young people to the realities of working life. For businesses, they can provide an insight into what young people can offer, whilst helping you to train and potentially recruit your next generation of employees.
- Giving a young person an opportunity to grow and develop their industry knowledge and skills
- Develop existing employees’ supervisory skills as they mentor students
- Find potential future members of staff and reduce recruitment challenges
- Obtain fresh ideas, new perspectives and energy from students
- Utilise cost-neutral support for your business
- Raise your business’ profile with potential future workforce generations
- Allow projects and other crucial work tasks to be facilitated with an ‘extra pair of hands’
- Giving students a better chance of obtaining a job or further training
- Help to make students' CV stand out and give them something to talk about in an interview
- Students can gain an insight into the industry and roles within it
- Students can make useful contacts in the world of work
- Help students to build their confidence and communication skills
Industry work placements:
Industry placements are part of the new T Level qualifications which will help students to hone their technical skills whilst gaining vital on-the-job training. T Levels have been developed jointly with employers and education providers so that curriculum content meets the industry need and prepares the student for their future career.
Industry placements are 315 hours in length and are to be completed over the two years of the qualification, (315 hours works out at around 45 days, depending on day lengths). Students will attend placement one or two days per week over a specific period to fit in with their course delivery model. Employability skills are built into the T Level, so students will have an idea of what employers are looking for and how to conduct themselves in the workplace. As part of the industry placement, students will have set learning goals which they will need to work towards over the duration of the placement. At the time of arranging the placement, tasks will be established but not limited, so placement requirements can be met. The learning goals add structure to the placement and ensure the students have appropriate opportunities to develop their technical skills in line with their course.
These placements allow the students to develop and grow as future professionals. This allows them to become an integral part of your organisation over the course of the placement and apply their increasing knowledge in the workplace.
For further information and support with industry placements, you can visit the government support site where you will find support packages including webinars, tool kits and workshops:
T Levels and industry placements
Members of the Work Placement Team are happy to discuss this further with you.
Industry Placement Pilot (Capacity Delivery Fund): York College is delighted to announce that it has been selected to participate in the T Level Industry Placement Pilot (Capacity Delivery Fund). Students who are studying a variety of courses have the opportunity to participate in an Industry Placement (CDF). They will complete 315 hours’ worth of work placement, from the start of the academic year through to July 2022. If you would like to find out more information or become involved in the Pilot, please contact the work placement team.
Mandatory placements: These placements range from 35 – 365 hours and can be spread across a number of weeks or completed in College holidays, where a block may be possible. They may also be scheduled into student timetables.
Standard placements: These 35-hour placements can be spread across five+ weeks, one day per week or can be completed in College holidays, where a block may be possible. These types of placements are a fantastic taster if you are thinking of taking on a longer-term industry placement or an apprentice in the near future, or want a placement student to assist with short-term projects.
York College students are skilled, motivated and can engage with your organisation to both learn and contribute to your business.
We hope to partner with you to allow our students to access opportunities which will widen their knowledge and skills beyond their studies. It will also ensure that they are workplace ready for the future.
All York College students who require work placements are aged 16 and above and will be educated on employability skills during their time at the College. They will have received guidance from course tutors and the Work Placement Team throughout the entire placement process. Combined with the hands-on support of their placement host, we are confident our students will excel.
If you feel you could offer a student a placement opportunity or have any further questions, please contact the Work Placement Team:
placements@yorkcollege.ac.uk
Work placement FAQs
Who is my contact at College?
We have a team of dedicated Work Placement Coordinators, who all work with specific curriculum areas. Our Work Placement Coordinators will liaise directly with students and employers to set up the placement. They will be able to answer any questions and go through the details of the work placement with you.
The Work Placement Team work closely with other teams in College, such as curriculum areas, Health, Safety and Welfare and the Apprenticeship team, to name few.
When can students attend a placement?
Students will attend placement one or two days per week for a set number of weeks. Or, placements can be completed in a block. These placements can be either in College holidays or pre-planned during term time in line with student timetables. The majority of placements we arrange are a combination of one/two days per week, and block week/s.
Could a work placement affect my insurance?
All work placement students are covered under Employer Liability Insurance.
What do I do if a student is absent?
Students have been instructed to inform their work placement employer immediately if they are likely to be absent. If a student does not arrive at all, is late without a satisfactory explanation, or you are in any doubt about a student’s attendance, please contact us as they occur, so we can deal with them accordingly.
Do students on placement have to work set hours?
The number and pattern of hours worked is normally agreed by the employer, the student and College, within any government regulations. If possible, normal daily hours should be worked and it should be noted that young people under the age of 18 are subject to some restrictions on the number of hours they can work.
Do I need to fill anything out?
All employers will need to complete a mandatory health, safety and welfare check. Depending on which type of placement you offer, you may need to complete some agreement paperwork.
What is expected from a work placement?
It is important that:
- Students are set work which will give them an insight into your business and allow them to put their knowledge into practice
- The work placement students are set is varied, ideally giving them a range of working experiences
- The students have a dedicated line manager/mentor while on placement to advise them on how to carry out tasks and be there to lend a helping hand
How long do placements last?
Placement lengths vary depending on the course requirements and the requirements of the business and student. The length of placements will be agreed between yourself, the student and the College to the satisfaction of all involved.
What do we do on the student's first day?
We expect all students to have an induction on their first day. Topics could include but are not limited to:
- Confidentiality, security and GDPR
- Appropriate behaviour and dress code
- Meet the team/line manager
- Working/drinks area
- Breaks/lunch
- Fire evacuation procedure
- Reporting an accident/near miss
- First aid/sickness
- Wellbeing/welfare mentor
At the time of confirming the placement, we will send out an induction check list for you to use.
Do I have to pay placement students?
Whilst placements are mostly unpaid, they offer an invaluable opportunity for the students to gain an industry insight. However, we do recognise that some employers may want to pay the student and/or cover out of pocket expenses.
What are my health and safety responsibilities for work placements?
As an employer, you have the same legal obligation to provide students with exactly the same health, safety and welfare protection you provide to your employees. All employers need to have Employers Liability Insurance in place to host a student on work placement. All employers will need to go through a health, safety and welfare check prior to placements starting.
If you feel you could offer a student a work placement opportunity or have any further questions, please contact the Work Placement Team
placements@yorkcollege.ac.uk
See below for the relevant Work Placement policies:
