How To Land Your Work Placement
Substantive Work Placements are a vital part of your Study Programme and will give you the cutting edge when embarking on your career area of choice.
It will enhance the skills and knowledge you are developing as part of your college course and give you the opportunity to apply learning from the classroom in a real life working environment. For hints and tips on securing a work placement please see below..
Gaining a work placement is extremely valuable when starting out in any industry. On the job training will allow you to develop your technical and employability skills, whilst giving you experience within an industry directly relevant to your course.
“I would definitely recommend industry placements to other employers. For me personally, it has helped to develop my coaching and mentoring skills; which I may not have been given the opportunity to do so otherwise. My placement student is brilliant – really enthusiastic and a pleasure to have around.”
Marie Crowther, Team Leader, Contact Centre Customer First
“My industry placement has helped me gain experience in the working environment. I’ve had the opportunity to meet new people and get an insight into the working office environment - which is really important!”
Katie Clarkson, Level 3 Business Student
USEFUL HINTS & TIPS
APPLY IN ADVANCE
It’s important to get in early, ahead of your peers, especially if you know the placement may be popular.
BRUSH UP YOUR CV
Be creative with your experiences. Think back, have you ever volunteered, been a key part of a social or sports club, what skills have you learnt? To show employers you are on the ball you should think of setting up a LinkedIn account and provide a link with your cover letter.
GET HELP FROM YOUR COLLEGE TUTORS
Learner Services have information on hand to help you get an idea which companies have work experience schemes and how to apply. Your college tutors have been through this process themselves - ask for help!
ASK FAMILY & FRIENDS
Maybe one of your course friends had a great placement year or someone in your family works in the perfect industry for you!
APPLY ONLINE
Some companies will have online application forms - make sure to read the questions carefully and double check your spelling and punctuation. Be honest and enthusiastic about why you want to work there. Do some research on the company beforehand so you have an understanding of what they do.
For more information visit our website
www.calderdale.ac.uk
or contact Helen Davies on 07980685432 or email industryplacements@calderdale.ac.uk