Work Experience

Gain Valuable Work Experience and Boost Your Employability

Work experience is a cornerstone of our student success. It provides students with the chance to:

• Experience a real workplace environment: Apply your knowledge and skills to real-life situations, gaining valuable first-hand experience.
• Explore career options: Find a placement relevant to your course or career aspirations, helping you solidify your interests or even broaden your career ambitions.
• Experience of applying for a job: Students are encouraged to source their own work experience placements. This approach is grounded in the belief that self-placement fosters a sense of accomplishment and mirrors elements of the job search process.

Benefits for Businesses

Businesses also gain from work experience:

• Meet future talent: Connect with potential future employees and get fresh ideas from a young perspective.
• Develop staff skills: Supervising and training students provide opportunities for current staff to hone their management skills.
• Gain an extra pair of hands: Students can contribute meaningfully to ongoing projects.

Extensive Work Experience Opportunities

Furness College partners with over 700 Cumbria-based businesses across diverse sectors, including BAE Systems, Gilmours, Travis Perkins, Barrow AFC, Carefree Travel, Risedale Estates, Abbey House Hotel, United Utilities and a large number of local nurseries, primary and secondary schools We also collaborate with other colleges to expand opportunities and provide the best experiences for our students.

Virtual Work Experience

For those interested in virtual placements, we offer VWEX programs like Speakers for Schools and Springpod. These give the students the chance to work with with top employers like Spotify, Cisco, Marie Curie, and BP, regardless of location. Register with Speakers for Schools here and Springpod here.

T Levels: Built-in Work Experience

T Levels are an alternative to A Levels, apprenticeships and other 16-19 courses , Furness College currently offers a number of courses in this qualification. Work experience, named “Industry Placement” in T Levels, is a vital component with a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days). Learn more about Furness College T Levels here.

Get Started Today

Contact our Work Placement Coordinators to explore your work experience options at Furness College.

Debbie Gribble: deborah.gribble@furness.ac.uk

Aimee Trelore: aimee.trelore@furness.ac.uk