Work placements, traditionally known as work experience are an opportunity for students to spend either on an ongoing or block amount of time gaining real life experience of the workplace and what it means to be an employee.  Work experience will provide students with an insight into a role, a specific company or a wider industry. Work experience will also provide the student with an opportunity to meet various employees, find out what they actually 'do' in their role on a daily basis. 

Work Experience - a short period of time spent voluntarily in any workplace, to learn what it is like to work.

Industry Placement- a temporary, voluntary job that is intended to give a trainee experience of the industry they are specifically training to become employable within.

Work experience can give students an understanding of the working environment and provides the opportunity to explore different career options.   Work experience can also bring the curriculum to life by showing how subjects can be applied and valued in the workplace . Work experience can particularly enhance the delivery of vocational subjects and develop a wide range of skills through hands-on activities. 

If you don't have a career path in mind use this opportunity to try something new.  Approach the process of finding work experience as a positive and rewarding exercise. Even if you you're not successful straight away don't give up! Remember all experiences are worthwhile even if they help you rule out jobs you are not interested in. 

All Level 2 and Level 3, Year 1 students will be expected to undertake some form of work placement during their time at College. More information will be shared with students during the first few weeks of the new academic year.

A Level & mixed programme students will be informed of the weeks they may carry out a placement during the academic year. Placements are expected to be a minimum of 5 days, of which up to 15 hours can consist of virtual work ready/employability activities. Students will be provided with details of approved activities. 

For those students following an extended diploma and Level 2 course there will be a one-week block placement built into the timetable. Refer to the key dates document for the work placement dates for both A Level and mixed programme and extended diploma/Level 2 students. 

If students, parents or carers are unsure of when placements are happening, please email placements.sixthform@windsor-forst.ac.uk and we will confirm for you. 

The College has recently implemented a new system for tracking and monitoring work placements called Navigate. Further information and procedures for this can be found on the Navigate page. 

Yes, the college do have some links with local employers who are willing to offer students work placement opportunities. This is an area which continues to grow for the college. If you need some assistance and ideas of the types of employers to contact please visit Jenny Villamayor - Placement Advisor in student services who can provide you with a list of current employers. 

If you think that you would like to offer a placement to our students or if you have a contact that you would like to share with the College, please contact Jenny Villamayor on the contact details above and she will be happy to discuss this with you further. We are grateful for all possible opportunities for our students to experience the workplace.

Students should not expect to receive a wage for their work placement. Employers may however choose to provide students with some remuneration for their time with them.