GAIN REAL WORK EXPERIENCE
Work-Based Opportunities
Build your skills, explore careers and stand out on every application, with placements, real employer projects and virtual work experience.
Our Work-Based Opportunities Officer helps you find a placement that fits your career goals, using our network of over 200 employer contacts across North Lincolnshire and the Humber.
How do I find a work placement?
Our dedicated Work-Based Opportunities Officer works with you one-to-one, giving advice and guidance on securing an external work placement.
You'll have access to our network of over 200 employer contacts, to help you find opportunities that match your career aspirations. For every placement arranged through the college, we complete the health and safety checks (HASP) so your placement is safe, meaningful and compliant.
What support will I get?
One-to-one advice
Employer matching
Safety paperwork
EVERY STUDENT INCLUDED
What if I can't find work experience?
As well as traditional placements, we've built real work-based learning into our Upskill Programme, so every student gets experience employers value.
Employer Brief Projects
Local employers set real-life industry challenges. You work on them in Upskill sessions, supported by teaching staff and employers.
You get: Professional feedback from employers
Virtual Work Experience
Build industry knowledge, explore careers and see inside workplaces that might otherwise be difficult to access.
You get: Insight into real workplaces
Part of Upskill
Both run through the Upskill Programme, every Wednesday from 1pm to 2pm, for every student.
When: Wednesdays, 1–2pm
EMPLOYER PARTNERSHIPS
What ongoing opportunities are there?
We run a range of recurring employer partnerships that give you ongoing workplace exposure and practical experience.
With Me in Mind
Volunteer placements
Lincoln Bishop University
Aspiring Teachers Programme
Scunthorpe Rugby Club
Community-based opportunities
Melior Academy
Reading Buddies Scheme
Ascot House
Residential care home projects and events
WHY IT MATTERS
What will I get out of work experience?
You'll apply your learning in real-world settings and leave with experience you can show on every application.
Employability skills
Develop the essential skills employers look for by applying your learning in real workplaces.
Professional networks
Build professional networks and connections with local employers to support your next step.
Evidence for applications
Strong examples for personal statements, apprenticeship and university applications, and CVs.
QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST
How does our work experience meet the Gatsby Benchmarks?
Our work-based opportunities support five of the eight Gatsby Benchmarks, the national standard for good careers guidance.
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Addressing the needs of each young person
A wide range of opportunities, from placements to employer projects, so every student can gain experience whatever their goals or circumstances.
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Encounters with employers and employees
Employer Brief Projects, Upskill sessions and our employer partnerships give you real, two-way contact with local employers every year.
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Experiences of workplaces
Work placements and volunteering with partners such as With Me In Mind, Ascot House and Scunthorpe Rugby Club, with virtual work experience to widen your options.
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Encounters with further and higher education
The Lincoln Bishop University Aspiring Teachers Programme gives you first-hand experience of university study and teacher training.
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Personal guidance
One-to-one guidance from our Level 6 qualified Careers Advisers, working alongside our Work-Based Opportunities Officer.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Work Experience FAQs
Can't find your answer? Book a work experience appointment and ask us directly.
Our Work-Based Opportunities Officer will work with you one-to-one to find a placement that fits your career goals, using our network of over 200 employer contacts. You can also take on an Employer Brief Project, try virtual work experience, or join one of our ongoing opportunities, such as volunteering, the Reading Buddies Scheme or care home projects.
Not always, but it can make a real difference. Universities want to see that you understand the subject you’re applying for and have explored it beyond the classroom. The UCAS personal statement now asks directly what you’ve done outside your studies to prepare, and work experience gives you real examples to write about. For some competitive courses, relevant experience is especially valuable, so speak to our Careers Team about what your course expects.
Employers say a lack of experience is one of the main reasons young applicants are turned down. Work experience shows you can turn up on time, work in a team and communicate professionally. It also helps you test whether a career is right for you before you commit to it, and it gives you skills, contacts and evidence for your CV, personal statement and applications.
More than you might think. A traditional placement, an Employer Brief Project, virtual work experience, volunteering and part-time jobs can all count. What matters most is what you learned: the tasks you took on, the skills you used and the feedback you received. Our team can help you reflect on your experience so you can talk about it confidently.
Yes. Virtual work experience lets you explore industries and workplaces that can be hard to reach from North Lincolnshire, often with real tasks set by well-known employers. It’s a great way to build knowledge of a sector and show interest in your applications. It works best alongside in-person experiences, which is why we offer both.
You won’t miss out. Traditional placements can be hard to find locally, so we’ve built work-based learning into the Upskill Programme. Every student completes an Employer Brief Project set by a real local employer, with professional feedback at the end. You can also join our ongoing opportunities with partners such as With Me In Mind, Lincoln Bishop University and Scunthorpe Rugby Club.
Yes. For every placement arranged through the college, we complete the health and safety checks (HASP) to make sure it is safe, meaningful and compliant before you start. Our Work-Based Opportunities Officer stays in touch, so you always have someone to talk to.
Focus on what you did and what you learned, not just where you went. Describe a task you completed, a skill you developed and how the experience shaped your plans. Our Careers Team can help you turn your placement, Employer Brief or volunteering into strong examples for UCAS, apprenticeship applications and CVs.
Encourage them to speak to our Work-Based Opportunities Officer early, as they will match your child with suitable employers from our network and handle the safety checks. You can also help by talking with them about the jobs that interest them and by sharing any contacts you have. Every student also gains work-based experience through Upskill, so your child will be supported whatever their circumstances.
Yes, we’d love to hear from you. Employers can offer work placements, set Employer Brief Projects, deliver Upskill sessions or give talks. We handle the planning and safety paperwork with you. Email [Email address] to get involved.
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