Work placements give young people the opportunity to spend time in a real workplace.
During their placement, they can observe how a business operates, take part in tasks under supervision, and start building the skills and behaviours that employers value. These experiences help students explore career options they may not have considered, develop practical skills relevant to different roles, and understand the attitudes and expectations needed to succeed in the world of work.
What does a work placement include?
There are multiple different types of placements students will take place in depending on the course type and level they are studying. Work placements are mandatory for students studying level 3 or higher.
For those studying lower level courses they will participate in industry activities which are different from the standard work experience, they provide insights into the work environment through industry professionals. There is a large variety of different activities to partake in, each will provide essential skills and experience to boost confidence and provide insight into the student's chosen career path.
How you can help
If you or someone you know could offer them a placement, please email our work placement team and they will be able to organise it with you. This can be in a wide variety of industries as long as it is relevant to one of our courses. Work placements are a critical part of student's college experience so encouraging and explaining them to the student will be a massive help!
If you have any more questions or would like to offer a placement please email work.placements@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk.
Common FAQs
The Nottingham College Work Placement Team complete a structured Pre-Placement Employer Check with all employers before any placement occurs.
The checklist includes multiple items to ensure the employers provide a safe and suitable environment and placement for our students.
The college will also risk assess low risk companies remotely and ensure all medium and high-risk companies are visited annually, in person, to risk assess.
We use a system called Navigate which tracks and monitors all attendance, which is confirmed by the employer.
Students are required to complete their work experience and work placement outside of their college timetable hours.
If you or someone you know could offer a 30 hour or an extended/industry work placement to your child and/or other students at Nottingham College, either now or in the future, then please contact our Work Placement team at work.placements@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk and we will get in touch to discuss!
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Work Placement team at work.placements@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk
Typically, work placements are unpaid, as they are more for learning and experience than employment. Payment for lunches or transport may be offered depending on the employer.
- Research the company
Encourage them to learn about the organisation, what it does, and its values. This shows interest and helps them understand the environment they’ll be working in. - Plan travel and timings
Make sure they know how to get there, how long the journey takes, and what time they need to arrive. Being punctual is key. - Dress appropriately
Check if there’s a dress code. If unsure, smart, casual clothing is usually a safe choice. - Prepare questions
Suggest they think of a few questions about the role or industry. It shows enthusiasm and helps them learn more. - Practice basic workplace skills
Skills like communication, teamwork, and listening are important. Remind them to be polite and professional. - Organise essentials
They may need a notebook, pen, and any documents requested by the employer.
