We know students often want to know more about attending a work placement so we have put together a list of frequently asked questions that you may find useful.
Yes, if it is relevant to your course.
You can log this as a self-sourced placement, you would however need to ensure that your employer is willing to support you undertaking new duties or completing targets that enhance your knowledge within the role.
The employer would also need to be happy for workplace assessments to take place with College staff. This would involve meeting to set targets around your placement, review your progress and provide feedback on your technical and employability skill development within the role.
When applying for a placement you must describe why the role is relevant to your course.
The Work Placement Coordinators will then talk to your course tutor and, if necessary, the Curriculum Manager where a decision will be made.
If you are undertaking an extended placement of 315 hours then the Student Funding Team will work together with the Work Placement Team to ensure that you have the support to attend placement.
In order to receive travel support whilst on placement you must apply online (through same account you created to apply for their course - blue piggy bank tile) and provide evidence of your household income. You must also live more than 1.5 miles away from your placement to get travel support.
If you have received a travel pass through the Learner Support Fund you will not receive any additional travel support. If your placement is in an area not covered by the travel pass then please go and speak to your Student Funding Team on campus.
They will go through travel options with you in order for you to attend placement.
If you receive Free College Meal vouchers, we will look at supporting your meal costs to this value on your placement days. This may be paid at the end of the term and receipts would be required.
Yes, all full-time students are encouraged to complete at least 30 hours of Work Placement.
If your course has been identified as qualifying for an extended placement of 315 hours, then this will have been communicated with you at enrolment stage.
The target is a minimum of 30 hours per academic year (unless you are studying a course that requires an extended placement - please see 'Do I have to do a work placement' above).
What kind of work placement can I do?
Your work placement must be related to your course of study.
You must be supervised by the employer, and you must be learning how to do a role within the company.
Yes, as long as it is related to your course and you are able to submit the request in good time so the Work Placement Team can complete their checks.
Before any placements start the employer must be checked by the Work Placement Team.
You must also ensure that the employer is happy to have college staff on site to review your progress and have regular updates with the employer.
Go onto your E-ILP and select the Work Placement Portal or check your Centre’s jobs and opportunities board.
If you are under 18, you will need to have completed a consent form before you can view the available placements.
If you see something you are interested in, then go ahead and apply!
If you need any help, contact the Work Placement Team at work.placements@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk.
If there is something specific you are interested in please speak to your campus' Work Placement Coordinator or email work.placements@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk.
You are also welcome to source your own work placement, or ask your Course Tutors for advice and guidance, but ensure you follow the self-source guidance on the Work Placement Portal.
Certainly, with approval from the Work Placement Team and your course tutor to ensure it does not affect your study programme.
Going on a work placement is a great way to find out more about an industry and try new things!
Look on the Work Placement Portal and if anything matches your interests, then apply.
You can also speak with your Centre’s Work Placement Coordinator and/or a Careers Advisor to assist you in finding a suitable Work Placement.
Please speak to your Centre’s Work Placement Coordinator to see if there is anything we can do to help!
On your application there is a section to declare any health issues.
Please discuss with the Work Placement Team or your course tutor if you are worried, we can work with you to find a suitable option.
Please speak to your Centre’s Work Placement Coordinator or your Course Tutor about your concerns. They can work with you to find a suitable placement.
If your placement requires a DBS we will work with the employer to ensure there is no cost to you.
The Work Placement Portal is a part of your E-ILP where you can apply for work placements and view your progress. You can find this by clicking on the Work Skills tab on the left-hand side.
You can see the status of your placement and any applications on the Work Placement Portal, accessed through your EILP.
Email the Work Placement Team at work.placements@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk
