Experience works – students chalk up over 100k hours with local businesses

Students at Oaklands College have boosted the local economy in Hertfordshire and beyond, by donating over 100,000 hours in work experience placements.

Whether it was stepping up to the pass in a Michelin star restaurant, fitness testing with firefighters, donning a hard hat for a major local construction project or even presenting a live brief in front of Royalty – our students clocked up the impressive total supporting over 700 local business and organisations in the county and beyond this past academic year.

Despite a mandatory amount of work experience hours required as part of any study programme, many of our students chose to continue their personal development with additional hours in their chosen placement.

Currently whilst at College students undertake a minimum number of hours of work experience which varies depending on their level of study. Whether the placement is sourced by the student or by the College, details are logged and verified with employers and tutors via The Edge, the in-house team dedicated to work experience opportunities at College.

In this year alone, students hosted dedicated IT expertise sessions for the public in our College Pop Up Shop, worked in teams to face a ‘Digital Innovation Day’ challenge and also sharpened their business acumen via the Dragons Apprenticeship Scheme.

Oaklands College Principal Zoe Hancock said: “Work experience is invaluable in giving students the skills, experience and confidence they need to ‘Take on the World’ in life after College and we work hard to forge links to support local employers in Hertfordshire.

“By partnering the theoretical and practical experience of our study programmes with a real-life industry placement, we give our students that extra edge when making that first step on the career ladder, as well as give a little back to the local economy.”

If you are a local employer who could offer a student that important experience in the workplace, contact Stephen Bewick or Joanne Elliott from The Edge team on 01727 737000 or email theedge@oaklands.ac.uk.