Industry placements
Information for students and parents
Industry placements will give students a valuable opportunity to put their learning into practice in the workplace and finish their course with the skills, knowledge and expertise that employers are looking for.
We believe that involvement in an industry placement will make a significant difference to a student’s future employment prospects. We aim to give students every opportunity to make sure that when they finish their course they are best placed to succeed, whether that is through higher level technical training, an apprenticeship, higher education or moving directly into employment.
How do industry placements work?
- Students aged 16-18 studying a full time Level 2 or 3 course will be invited to participate in an extended Industry Placement alongside their time in college with an employer in a role directly relevant to their course.
- This means during term time students should expect, and be available, for their timetable to be over five full days a week.
- Each industry placement will be aligned to a student’s vocational qualification, meaning students will be learning the relevant technical skills for their industry.
- Those eligible for bursary support for expenses such as travel, will continue to receive this when on placement.
- Some employers may pay a wage or cover expenses.
- Completing the placement will be compulsory, and non-attendance will be dealt with through the usual college procedures.
If you would like to find out more about industry placements and how to get involved, please contact our Careers & Employability team on: wex@gbmc.ac.uk
- Students aged 16-18 studying a full time Level 2 or 3 course will be invited to participate in an extended Industry Placement alongside their time in college with an employer in a role directly relevant to their course.
- This means during term time students should expect, and be available, for their timetable to be over five full days a week.
- Each industry placement will be aligned to a student’s vocational qualification, meaning students will be learning the relevant technical skills for their industry.
- Those eligible for bursary support for expenses such as travel, will continue to receive this when on placement.
- Some employers may pay a wage or cover expenses.
- Completing the placement will be compulsory, and non-attendance will be dealt with through the usual college procedures.
If you would like to find out more about industry placements and how to get involved, please contact our Careers & Employability team on: wex@gbmc.ac.uk
What are the benefits for students?
- Build and develop technical skills, increasing competence and ability to progress into skilled employment.
- Further develop “soft skills” such as communicating, teamwork and problem solving.
- Gain deeper knowledge of the running of a business and general commercial principles.
- Opportunity for personal growth: develop self-reliance, step out of their comfort zone, build confidence and learn about themselves. Identify strengths and preferences for future career options.
- Potentially secure a job or apprenticeship with the employer afterwards and on completion of the course.
- Build a valuable working relationship with an employer, resulting in a more meaningful reference to use for future job applications.
- Grow their network in the industry (including making contacts in other organisations), helping them to identify future job roles.
- Build and develop technical skills, increasing competence and ability to progress into skilled employment.
- Further develop “soft skills” such as communicating, teamwork and problem solving.
- Gain deeper knowledge of the running of a business and general commercial principles.
- Opportunity for personal growth: develop self-reliance, step out of their comfort zone, build confidence and learn about themselves. Identify strengths and preferences for future career options.
- Potentially secure a job or apprenticeship with the employer afterwards and on completion of the course.
- Build a valuable working relationship with an employer, resulting in a more meaningful reference to use for future job applications.
- Grow their network in the industry (including making contacts in other organisations), helping them to identify future job roles.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What’s different about industry placements?
These differ from standard work experience placements as they have to be related to the student’s chosen area of study. Placements would last for a minimum of 315 hours across an academic year which means they can develop the skills they really need to progress in their sector after college.
Will my child/young adult be making the tea and photocopying?
No! Industry placements are all about providing technical and sector specific skills and spending more time with an employer means students can work on projects that help them gain the experience they need to start their career.
“I find this new [industry] placement idea so much better than the standard work experience because you actually have something to show for it at the end, as well as great skills learned. These skills will be transferable, and in fact invaluable, to my future career.” Student Feedback from 18/19 pilot.
But won’t this take them away from their studies?
No — the industry placement is designed to be an integral part of the course: their studies will prepare them for the placement, and the placement will add real value to their course. Our senior managers, curriculum leads and tutors will work closely with each other to ensure this is the case.
How can I be sure they will receive a good placement?
We will match your child with a business that is directly relevant to their course. We’ll ensure that the employer has relevant work for them, and provides a good standard of line management so they can receive the coaching and support needed to learn. The student will also be able to provide us with a list of preferences for which employers they would most like to work with. This will be done in good time before the industry placement.
What if they already have a job?
If a student is already working in a sector relevant organisation or role, we may be able to work with the employer to convert this to an industry placement.
What about their part time job that is not in a sector relevant organisation or role?
We’ll give plenty of notice of the placement start date, to allow them to change shifts if needed. Work experience and industry placements are mandatory elements of study programmes and whilst we will do our best to accommodate part time work, it is expected that all students will participate.
Will they get paid?
Industry placements are about providing students with high quality, meaningful training, not work. Therefore, students are not entitled to a salary as the placement is forming part of a course of further education. There is no legal requirement or expectation that T Level students will be paid. However, employers may pay the student should they wish to, or support the student with their travel and subsistence costs.
Students entitled to 16-18 Bursary payments will continue to be supported with these throughout their industry placement. Those students who are not eligible for the 16-18 Bursary, and who are not receiving financial support from an employer, may be able to receive help with travel costs and expenses by completing a short application to the Student Finance Team.
What does my child/young adult need to do?
● They must attend the placement.
● They will be accountable to a line manager at the workplace, who will expect them to meet professional standards in things like punctuality, communication and teamwork.
● They must adhere to all health and safety rules at the business.
● They’ll need to complete a log book during the placement, reflecting on their learning and development.
What checks will be done to make sure this is safe?
We will run due diligence on all employers for health and safety, insurance and safeguarding purposes.
If you would like to find out more about industry placements and how to get involved, please contact our Careers & Employability team on:wex@gbmc.ac.uk