Work Experience

Students

At The Sixth Form, we aim to ensure all year 12 students undertake work experience in their first year of study in support of their academic achievement. We assign specific weeks throughout the year for students to go out on work placements. Work experience is a vital part of a young person’s learning experience. It supports the academic skills they develop during their time here and allows them to acquire skills that cannot be taught in the classroom, ensuring they are work ready when it comes to seeking employment. Increasing numbers of employers and universities are looking for students to have relevant voluntary or work experience upon application to them. 

Benefits include:

• Enhances a UCAS or Apprenticeship application
• Provides greater insight into their desired career path
• Builds links for future employment opportunities
• Improves a CV
• Builds your communication skills and provides an opportunity to work in a real work place with different people from different backgrounds
• Opportunity to receive feedback and guidance from experienced staff in the job or sector you wish to work in
• Provides the opportunity to explore other career paths that may not have been considered
• Gain a referee from a reputable company
• Develop employability skills

We will advertise a number of existing high profile work experience opportunities for students to apply to, as they would for a job. Alternatively, our Work Experience Officer is on hand to help students secure a placement that will support their career plans and develop skills that they will benefit from in the future.

Industry Placements

For year 13 students on a BTEC Extended Diploma course in Business, ICT, Applied Science, and Sport, we offer the exclusive chance to undertake an Industry Placement alongside their studies. We work with these students to help them secure meaningful placements where they will complete 50 days of work experience. We have a programme supported by employers to help prepare these students to enter the world of work. Students will spend 3 days in College and 2 days on placement between October-May. On these placements’ students are treated as an employee and given real work to do, and will be appraised at least 3 times whilst on placement. This gives students substantial work experience for their CV or applications for work or study. Many of our students who have completed Industry Placements in the past have gone on to secure:

•        Degree Apprenticeships at companies including Fujitsu and The Hut Group, due to their Industry Placement making them stand out
•        A portfolio of work showcasing projects they completed on placement
•        A full time job at their placement provider for when they finish The Sixth Form
•        A part time job with their placement provider to do alongside their university studies
•        A temporary paid summer job with their placement provider
•        A strong employer reference
•        A network of industry contacts
•        An offer to return for more work experience during their degree

Employers

Working alongside The Sixth Form to provide work placements can be extremely beneficial to employers. Working with us could enable you to develop a better understanding of the ever changing landscape of education and qualifications. Our students have a broad range of skills and interests and study a variety of over 50 subjects. Benefits include:

• Providing staff with the opportunity to work in a supervisory role who may not usually have the chance
• Scope for finding future long-term employment with successful students
• Raises your company reputation in the local area
• Students may introduce new ideas and a fresh perspective
• Provide feedback and coaching to help students develop skills required in a particular job or sector
• Help young people to develop their CV and build a vital network of contacts in their chosen industry
• Opportunities to work with us for events such as Skills Day, Careers Day and World of Work Mock Interviews

Our students undertake work placements at various times throughout the year. This could be one or two days a week throughout the academic year or one/two full-time weeks in half term, summer, or other designated weeks.

We already work with many employers within Bolton and the Greater Manchester area who help us to enhance our students’ employability skills. If you feel can offer a work placement within your business, please contact our Work Placement Officer, Emily Dover on 01204 846 215 or edover@bolton-sfc.ac.uk