Work Experience & Industry Placements
Work Experience
Work Experience is a period of voluntary work in a sector a student is interested in pursuing after qualifying from college.
The aim of a work placement is to get hands-on experience allowing a student to apply their classroom knowledge practically in the workplace.
- The Work Placements Team engage with over 1500 local business and companies
- 93% of learners rated their satisfaction of work experience as good or above
- 99% of placement opportunities in college were organised by the work experience department
- 90% of L2 and L3 students completed or were scheduled to complete work experience in 2021-2022.
Industry Placements
The Industry Placement programme gives genuine and meaningful “on the job” training where a range of experiences can take place, such as: time keeping, commuting and interacting with colleagues as well as learning new skills from employees who have the knowledge and experience to pass to students. We work with a large variety of placement providers both regionally and nationally.
A placement allows you to:
- Develop soft skills such as teamwork and communication
- Gain confidence
- Develop a future career plan and clarify career goals
- Apply course material to the working world
- Widen knowledge of future career opportunities
- Develop your CV and/or UCAS
- Determine whether (or not!) the career is for you
- Make a good impression on a potential future employer
- Apply your knowledge and skills in a work setting
- Increase skills and competencies which are highly sought after by employers
- Give an insight into the way organisations operate and the challenges they face.
- Help you to understand a particular job or industry
- L2 Early Years – 250 hours
- L3 Year 1 Early Years – 65 days/385 hours
- L3 Year 2 Early Years – 68 days/385 hours
- L2 Health and Social Care – 200 hours
- L3 Year 1 Health and Social Care – 75 hours
- L3 Year 2 Health and Social Care – 200 hours
- Motor Vehicle L2 – 30 hours
- Motor Vehicle L2 Fast Track – 30 hours
- Motor Vehicle L3 – 30 hours
- Hairdressing L2 – 30 hours
- Hairdressing L3 – 30 hours
- UPS L2 and L3 – 30 hours
- Applied Science – 30 hours
- Travel and Tourism L2 and L3 – 30 hours
- Hospitality and Catering L2 and L3 – 30 hours
- L2 Dental Care – 30 hours
- Business L2 and L3 – 30 hours
- IT L2 and L3 – 30 hours
- Construction L2 and L3 – 30 hours
- Sport L2 and L3 – 30 hours
- Engineering L2 and L3 – 30 hours
Companies we work with
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Find out more
Our Work Experience Team is based in the David Hockney Building.
Get in touch:
I believe work placement is extremely crucial because students get the opportunity to gain skills specifically to their subject as well as the employability skills required for work. Also, work placements look good on your CV which can increase your chances of being employed. Plus, you get a chance to explore different career areas as well.
Mohammed H F, UPS Student
Navigate
We are now working paperless with our new system Navigate being introduced. Students will receive training on how to use the online system to input their evidence during and after placement.
Navigate is an online platform that functions as a digital CV which can help you to keep track of and monitor the development of your employability, personal and social skills.
Work experience provides an invaluable insight into the world of work and your chosen career or sector. It also enables you to make informed choices if you are undecided about which career path to choose. In addition to these benefits, having one or more work experience placement on your CV can demonstrate to any prospective employer that you are a motivated individual who is committed to your own development and who has a genuine interest in that area of work. These are all qualities that can help you stand out from other candidates.
Lizzy Mills, Crown Prosecution Service
A fantastic visit to an amazing college, The Royal Navy Recruit and Attract Team loved the vibe given off by the staff and students all around, such a pleasant atmosphere to be in and we all had a real laugh. The staff are excellent and even took part in the tasks we arranged, we are really happy to have had the opportunity to engage with Bradford College students and can’t wait to come back. A big thumbs up from the Royal Navy to see such a diverse group of students working together as a team, formulating a plan and executing the task in true military fashion whilst having a giggle.”
Chief Petty Officer Brandon
West Yorkshire Police believe in investing and engaging with the young people of West Yorkshire. As part of this commitment, we were had an excellent opportunity to speak to student at Bradford College. To discuss what they though about the police, their experiences, their misconceptions or their concerns. We found this rewarding and it allows us to engage at with a number of young people from across all subjects. This gave us the opportunity to discuss and outline different Apprenticeships we offer at West Yorkshire Police. The students have been enthusiastic, pleasant but most importantly were actively engaging with us. The staff were/are very supportive and the communication from the college was excellent. If you are an employer, I would highly recommend giving work placements to Bradford College students because they are keen to learn more!
PC 4867 Mudasser Iqbal, Positive Action Ambassador (Bradford)