Industry Placements

Industry placements (formally known as work experience) are a mandatory element of your study programme. They are designed to bridge the gap between education and the world of work. It can help inform career choices, provide the opportunity for you to prove your suitability to an employer, and help instil the attitudes and behaviours expected at work.

These placements are a compulsory element of your studies at City of Bristol College. Undertaking an industry placement will make a significant difference to your future employment prospects, giving you a valuable opportunity to improve your learning and to help you develop your technical skills. This will ensure the that you complete your study programme with the skills, knowledge and expertise employers are looking for.

You should expect to complete a minimum of 30 hours and a maximum of 345 hours with an employer in a role directly relevant to your course of study. The amount you will need to perform varies from course to course and your work placement officer will advise you of this.

• Potentially securing employment or an apprenticeship with your employer on completion of your study programme.
• Build a valuable working relationship with an employer resulting in a more meaningful reference to use for your future job applications.
• Grow your network in the industry – helping to identify new job roles.
• Learn the relevant technical skills and professional behaviours for the industry.

We will support each student in finding the right placement, and our work experience team will monitor your progress, visit the workplace to carry out regular progress reviews and support your completion of the placement.

You can, of course, get your own work experience through your own contacts but please liaise with your designated work placement officers for next steps and confirming the placement.

In order to succeed on your placement, it is important to have the full support and backing from your parent/carer.

Industry placements take place outside of your timetabled lessons and within usual working hours to give you a realistic experience.