Partnerships are a three-way street.
In a partnership mutual benefits are fundamental to success. Here at Weston College this permeates all our thinking and actions – not courses; careers.
I am Ray Stewart – Work Placement Officer at Weston College.
When our students take an Industry Placement of a minimum of 315 hours in preparation for their Level 3 or T Level course, the employer, student and College will see the long-term advantages for such a placement taking place.
For the business they gain a fresh approach from a young person who has been trained using the most up to date methods and equipment. The Industry Placement matching process that we use reduces recruitment risk and cost, as we are very close to our students and understand their needs and aspirations and we get under the skin of the business to understand their ambitions both short and long term. As one employer put it “it’s better and more effective than using a recruitment agency.”
For the student the benefits are clear, they gain valuable, relevant and meaningful experience of working in a business that is closely associated with their course, applying what they have learned into a real working setting to add value to a business, and of course, gaining all those skills that we more experienced employees take for granted; team working, making a positive contribution to the host business and when working with an individual anticipating their needs so you become a valued colleague.
For the College establishing, supporting and understanding our partner businesses is product of our commitment to support, our local, regional and national business. The College offering is wide and comprehensive and the support to business ranges from Work Experience, Industry placements, Traineeships and Apprenticeships indeed for many businesses this path can include two or even three of these elements.
The way that these relationships are maintained and allowed to flourish is by communicating; at Weston College it is in our DNA and this always starts with one individual keeping in touch with another and listening as well as speaking this then widens out into presentations, toolbox talks, awards events, conferences and many other avenues enabling networking to be a vital part of ensuring that our offering as a business is meeting and exceeding your expectations as an employer.
Bringing all these elements together helps businesses secure a pipeline of talented and enthusiastic students helping to secure longevity and success. Those involved in these opportunities are presenting their business as being forward thinking, commercially sharp and one that takes its social responsibilities seriously. Whether you need an extra pair of hands in these difficult times or you need to be planning for the long-term future of your business our students and all at Weston College are here to help.
The experience of working with our young people is extremely rewarding as well as challenging and exciting. They are, after all, the future and they need opportunities and our task is to ensure those opportunities are fulfilling for all parties.
Together we can create, maintain and secure brighter futures. If you would like to know more contact workplacementteam@weston.ac.uk
Ray Stewart, Work Placement Officer
Industry Placements - Sustaining relationships with employers, establishing talent pipelines for the future