Work Experience at College
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Work experience and industry placements are an integral part of all full-time study programmes at the College; they are an exciting opportunity for our students to develop industry skills and knowledge for their future.
Students will have a dedicated Placement Officer who will support them throughout the placement process, based in the Careers Hub on their Campus.
Why Complete A Work Placement?
- Experience working in a real industry environment
- Good opportunity to network: students might get an apprenticeship or paid employment as a result
- Gain confidence in existing skills and learn new ones
- Students are able to demonstrate to future employers that they are willing to learn and are work ready
- It can help students with their course: they can use real examples from their work experience or placement
Find more information below about the benefits of work experience, our top tips for finding a placement and the answers to questions you may have about the process.
If you have any more queries or for further support, contact the Work Placement Team at workexperience@wiltshire.ac.uk.
Top Tips For Finding A Placement
- Ask friends and family for someone to contact
- Lecturers, Careers Advisors and Placement Officers may know of opportunities
- Read local guides such as Denton’s Directory and local newspapers
- Look at job vacancies for part-time staff. Students may get a work experience trial which could lead to a job!
- Use the internet to search for local companies offering the right opportunities
- Some company websites have a section to apply for work experience or for voluntary work
Recording Your Placement On Grofar
Students will use an online platform called Grofar to record all the hours and experiences they achieve during their work placement. The Grofar account is their ‘virtual workbook’ and is where they will need to log all their hours, experiences and assessments throughout the year. This virtual workbook is evidence of completing their placement, so it is important that they complete this. Their Placement Officer will support them with Grofar during tutorial sessions: if they have any questions they can just drop into their campus Careers Hub to find them.
Parent FAQs
Find answers to commonly asked questions about Work Experience and Industry Placements below.
What is work experience?
Work Experience covers a range of activities which students can get involved in to support their College learning and develop industry and employability skills. These activities could range from attending a work placement with a local employer to working on community projects.
How are placements arranged?
Students will be encouraged to source their own industry placement, allowing them to practice searching for a job, interview skills and getting there themselves. The Work Placement Team also work closely with local employers to generate opportunities.
What support is available?
The Work Placement Team will visit the tutorial sessions to prepare students for their placement. Their dedicated Placement Officer will also be on hand to support and guide them through the placement process. The Placement Team works with employers, students and sometimes parents to make sure any needs are met, adjustments are put in place if necessary and to monitor placements to make sure things run smoothly.
What are industry placements?
Industry placements are now a key part of College study programmes. With 315 hours of placement built into our courses, students will have the opportunity to develop industry and employability skills in a real working environment, helping to prepare them for the next step towards employment or further study.
What do students need to do?
Trying to find their own placement is the first step. They should always keep their Placement Officer up to date and they pop into your campus Careers Hub and have a chat with them at any time.