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There are many benefits to hiring a student, ranging from improved staff retention and growing your own talent:

Being known as a business that offers work experience opportunities will raise the profile and appeal of your business.

Investing in youth can bolster productivity, nurture commitment and develop brand loyalty

Gain access to tomorrow’s talent pool.

Provide your employees with line management opportunities, helping them to feel motivated and grow their loyalty to your business.

There is no obligation to pay students or cover any costs during their work experience placements.

Young people often bring fresh ideas and approaches that may open up new and emerging markets for your business.

Our recruitment process

  • We advertise your vacancies to students on our work placement portal
  • We source candidates through a vacancy matching process 
  • We offer the opportunity for you to interview students prior to selection 
  • You will receive email notifications when a student has been successfully selected for your placement. you will also receive a reminder one week before their start date with you 
  • We will help you prepare in advance of the students start date and support you throughout the duration of their placement 

Employer responsibilities

As an employer there are number of responsibilities you have, prior to and during the student’s placement with you.

Employers are required to complete an induction with students on the placement start date. We recommend you follow the same induction processes that you would with any other member of staff.

Nottingham College is working towards the creation of a supportive and inclusive working and learning environment, which is free from discrimination, where there is mutual respect and equality for all, and where differences are celebrated and respected.

The organisation is proud of its diversity and values the way this enriches the life of the College and the experiences of all its community. Our policy documents on this will be provided to you once you have agreed to become a Work Experience partner.

Before we are able to place a student into work experience, we need to carry out a Risk Assessment. We will ask you some questions on policies and procedures for areas such as supervision, first aid, fire and maintenance of equipment.

This audit must be signed by you, the employer. We also need to take a copy of your up-to-date Employers’ Liability Insurance document, which needs to be for a minimum of £5 million.

Students have the right to feel safe wherever they learn or work. They should not be exposed to abuse in any way and you should understand how to recognise abuse, discrimination, radicalisation, bullying and harassment and what action you should take if students are subjected to such treatment. Prevent is a key part of Nottingham College’s safeguarding policy, which aims to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

It provides early help and support to people who may be at risk of being radicalised, preventing all forms of terrorism that threaten national security. If you have any concerns regarding a student or someone in the community, please contact the college or the dedicated Prevent Police Number on 0800 789 321.

Employers have a responsibility to ensure that any concerns regarding the welfare of the students are reported to the college in order for us to ensure that appropriate support is put in place. At Nottingham College, we have an experienced and trained team ready to deal with safeguarding issues who are always available to listen to and support you.

They can be contacted on 0115 9100 100.

How to get involved or find out more

If you are interested in offering work placements or any of the above opportunities or have suggestions about other ways you could engage with our students, promote your business and contribute to Nottingham City’s Skills Agenda, or if you simply like to find out more, please do get in touch.