As part of the employability journey, the college undertakes a process called ‘Vocational Profiling’– this helps us to explore what type of work students would like to do and provides an opportunity to understand what they are interested in. Vocational Profiling will be completed during timetabled Employability sessions however, all staff are encouraged to share information relevant to a student’s VP. We use this information to help source a suitable work experience placement.

Where possible, we source placements linked to a student’s vocational area of study; this is why it is so important for students to select a vocational option that best fits their future goals for work. The local labour market does impact placement and so, while we do our best to source placements that are directly linked to our student’s aspirations, it is not always possible to do so.

By attending work experience placements, students not only have further exposure to industry (and a variety of jobs within this) but also have the opportunity to ‘test’ if this is the right area for them. 

Work experience is a mandatory component of all study programmes across all year groups. However, the type of work placement (individual or group) and level of support provided on placement will depend upon the individual and the Pathway they are enroled on.  The number of days and regularity of work placements will also differ as detailed below.

Please note, that if students do not engage with their work experience placement, the college is unable to accommodate alternative provision; students would need to remain at home or make alternative arrangements. 

Students will be notified of all/any placement details in advance of the start date.

Frequency of placements

Year 12 – Summer term only
Pathway	Expectations
1	1 x day per week – group placement
2	1 x day per week – needs assessed group or individual
3	1 x day per week – individual

 

Year 13 – September start
Pathway	Expectations
1	1 x day per week to - group placement
2	1 x day per week – needs assessed group or individual
3	2 x day per week – individual

 

Year 14 – September start
Pathway	Expectations
Work Foundation	Up to 3 days a week, individual or group placement
Work Independence	Up to 3 days a week, individual placement
Work Progression	3-4 days per week, individual placement

Health and Social Care Placements

If students follow the Health and Social Care Vocational Pathway their work experience placement will be linked to this industry.  It is a mandatory requirement for students undertaking Health and Social Care placements to have a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check to meet regulations.  A DBS check is the process taken in this industry to check the criminal record of anyone working within the setting.  DBS checks are carried out online and cannot be completed on behalf of students by the college.

 

Attendance on Placements

We understand that sometimes students may not be able to attend work experience due to illness.  In such circumstances, the college and their employer must be notified of their absence.  Students will be given their employer contact details at the start of their placement during their induction.  Failure to report absence will result in the student's absence being recorded as unauthorised.