Students at The Sheffield College are encouraged to spend time with an employer in a real life, working environment as part of their study programme. Depending on what course they are studying and their individual needs, this could be an employer-led workshop, site visit, or an industry placement as part of our StayAhead employability programme.
The Work-related Activity team are here to support both employers and students through the process. Students will develop their employability skills in preparation for the world of work. If as a business, you already have provisions in place for young people, having a placement student is no different. Our Employer relationship coordinators are on hand to make it a smooth process.
Our expert team currently provides three work-related activity programmes: MoveAhead, GetAhead and StayAhead. These programmes are designed to support all students to develop their employability skills online. A Student's level of study will determine which programme they start on, with clear progression routes and goals. the programmes range from pre-recorded filmed talks that the students can listen and watch, interactive webinars, guest speakers, through to a full Industry Placement lasting 315 hours.
The placements are flexible so you can tailor them to your business needs. This means that students are able to work shift patterns, weekends and throughout the college holidays.
Having a placement student can help to upskill your existing staff by supervising and mentoring placement students. This can help boost job satisfaction, develop leadership skills and increase staff retention.
Supporting and developing a placement student is also a chance for you to identify someone who may become a future employee. It is an opportunity for you to showcase your company values and ethics, and shape the student into a competent and reliable individual that you would employ.
The Student will make up part of your workforce and be able to support you with daily tasks and projects. A placement can be really useful when you enter the busy periods in your business, as the student becomes an extra pair of hands to help with deadlines and targets. A salary is not essential, but should you wish to pay the student or support them with expenditure, this would be at your discretion.
As part of the service level agreement, we will advertise our partnership on all of our media platforms. This will not only promote your business, but will also enhance your company reputation, by working with a local college to help train and develop the next generation.
As an employer, you will also have the opportunity to share your expert knowledge and skills with the placement student. Sharing information about the job role and training students in your industry, will help to reduce the skills shortage by ensuring it remains relevant and to up to date.
The college offers a wide range of assistance to students with additional needs when out on placement. We believe that all students should have an equal chance of success and we can offer specialist learning support, equipment and resources to help them succeed on placement - If you feel like you need support please let us know, your college contacts will offer to support where we can.
If you have any questions about work-related activity or work experience placements, you can contact us via:
Helen Williams
HEW (Helping Entrepreneurs Win)
