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Work experience & industry placements

Information for students and parents

Work experience is a great opportunity to put learning into practice whilst gaining knowledge about a job or area of work. It can inform and support future career choices or study options and could lead to an apprenticeship or a paid employment. 

Work experience also provides the opportunity to demonstrate employability skills on a CV, helping you to stand out from the crowd while giving employers an insight into the talented students on their doorstep.

“Two thirds of employers rate quality work experience as being of critical or significant value for young entrants to the labour market” 

( Department of Education’s Employers’ Perspectives Survey )

More information on work placement in Care and Early Years - click here


Getting work experience & why it's important

Getting work experience & why it's important

Why should I complete an industry placement?

When does my work experience take place?

Speak to your tutor or Personal Development Coach to find out when your department has scheduled your work experience (WEX) placement dates and the number of hours you need to complete. Work experience placements can be as little as one week up to 45 days depending on the course you are studying.

Types of work experience placements:
  • Short Work Experience – These typically last between one and two weeks and normally involves observation or ‘shadowing’, alongside assisting employers with day-to-day tasks and duties.
  • Work Placements – Some courses require students to complete a set number of days/hours as part of the course qualification, such as Health and Social care, Early Years, Animal Care and Catering. The awarding organisations often require students to submit evidence in the form of timesheets, tutor assessments, written assessments or synoptic tests to confirm knowledge and understanding of the curriculum learning outcomes. Typically, between 100 - 300hrs are required.
  • Industry Placements –These placements gives you an excellent opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in the industry you want to enter. You will complete at least 315 hours, approximately 45 days with an external employer. You will work towards a set of unique learning objectives, record experiences in a logbook and attend review meetings. At the end, you will have greatly enhanced your job prospects and your CV.
What support will I receive?

Your tutor and Personal Development Coach will support you throughout the process. You will receive training around expectations in the workplace, covering issues such as timekeeping, dress code and language. You will also be made aware of your responsibilities whilst on placement, including your duties under health and safety legislation. Support in finding a placement will be provided by your tutors and Personal Development Coach.

Any questions?

If you require further information, please contact the Work Experience & Industry Placement Team:

 020 8394 3325
 wex@nescot.ac.uk

Useful links

Photograph of a Nescot student

“Two thirds of employers rate quality work experience as being of critical or significant value for young entrants to the labour market” ( Department of Education’s Employers’ Perspectives Survey )