Work experience plays an essential role in developing the confidence of learners in the workplace and it is through the positive engagement of employers, offering work experience and industry placements, that our students are able to put their classroom-based learning into practice.
Work experience is an important element of learning and development for students, one that contributes towards their future employment. After all, today’s work experience candidates are tomorrow’s employees. Work experience provides learners with a better understanding of the workplace, boosting their confidence, and allowing them to engage with their local business community in a positive way.
It’s not just the work experience candidate that benefits from a positive placement – your business, your colleagues, the local community, and wider UK economy benefits as well. Work experience can:
Industry placements play a big part in preparing young people for the world of work. It is a valuable addition to their learning programme and allows them to put theoretical skills into practice. For the employer, it is a great opportunity to bring in extra resource, fresh ideas and scout for future talent.
Unlike work experience, students on industry placements stay within the business for longer than just 1 or 2 weeks. Students are expected to complete 315 hours during their placement, and this work is unpaid unless the employer would like to pay a wage or contribute toward travel expenses.
Full-time courses at Cambridge Regional College are 3 days a week, leaving 2 days a week for industry placement. Students will only be expected to work at their placements during term time.
For more information about hosting a student for an industry placement, please contact Sarah Fielding on 07514 642353 or email
An established vehicle body repair centre talked of how having an industry placement student from Cambridge Regional College gave them faith in apprenticeships. Matt Cooper, of Cooper Barnes, took on a student who came to the firm twice a week for a year, alongside his studies at CRC. The placement was such a success that Matt offered the student a full-time apprenticeship. Read the full story here.
Quick Facts – Cambridge Regional College |
Employer Information Guide – Department of Education |
Line Manager Guide – Department of Education |
Benefits to Employers – Department of Education |
If you are interested in being a host or want to discuss further, contact Sarah Fielding on 07514 642353 or email