Placements are a quick and powerful way for students to build on the skills they’ve learned inside and outside of the classroom. They might be playing a part on a team, where they’ll need to pick up a task quickly and use their initiative. They could be learning how to use new software, or helping to organize an event, or managing a series of calendar appointments. Placements also grow students’ confidence, helping them to quickly adapt to working with new people and in new environments.

By taking part in placements, students not only gain the skills and knowledge to catapult them into work, but through the experience alone, they’ll make better applications. A CV or application that includes evidence of a work placement is impressive, as it shows the student’s commitment to growth and learning. And if they can show how it’s relevant to their future career, it will also show dedication to their next step.

On a placement, students may work with people of different ages and backgrounds than they've previously connected with. They’ll get a sense of what’s expected at work, from turning up on time and communicating promptly to understanding what’s appropriate to wear and what a longer day than they’re used to might look like.

Maybe a student took up work experience in a cafe and realised they love customer service, or they worked on a construction site and discovered the noise wasn’t for them. Placements help students figure out what they like and dislike in a work environment—drastically reducing their chances of becoming NEET (not in education, employment, or training), as mentioned above.

Once students have completed their placements, we encourage them to follow up with a thank you and express interest in future opportunities if they found the experience beneficial. This way, they’ve made a professional connection and have had more practice sending professional emails, which will give them more confidence to reach out to other employers when the time comes.