Employability Pledge
At Kirklees College, we have an extensive Work Experience Programme which, alongside your main qualification, will help you develop the employability skills you need to progress to an apprenticeship, work or university once you complete your studies with us.
We are passionate about helping you to gain the skills you need to advance in your chosen career, putting equal emphasis on occupational qualifications and employability skills development.
Employability skills are the skills that go beyond qualifications and experience; they are the knowledge, capabilities, attitudes and behaviours you need to secure a job role and be successful in work.
On completion, you will achieve either a Careers and Personal Development Passport Award or a Placement Certificate.
Our Promise To You
During your time at Kirklees College, you will receive support to develop your employability skills and help you to progress through our Work Experience programme.
This includes
Clear Progression Routes
- Support with investigating university options and completing UCAS applications
- Access to cross-college careers events, including Apprenticeships, Higher Education and Employability Week.
- Help with finding and applying for apprenticeship opportunities
- Tutorials to support planning progression to your next step
Professional Skills Development
- Opportunities to enter skills competitions
- Weekly tutorials, focused on work readiness and personal development
- Guest speakers and workshops from industry professionals
- Development of industry standards and behaviours
Workplace Experience
- Access to a work placement relevant to your qualification
- A minimum of two employer interactions to learn about careers and expectations
- Opportunity to take part in live briefs led by industry experts
- Taster days and company visits to gain insight in to an industry, organisation or job role
Careers Guidance
- Access to careers guidance with our dedicated Careers team and Careers Coach online
- Interview preparation, including mock interviews and preparing for assessment centres
- Exploring where to search for jobs and what you should expect when you get one
- Support with building your CV and completing application forms
Your Commitment to us:
We expect the following from you to enable us to deliver on our promise:
- You maintain excellent attendance
- You fully engage in your Work Experience tutorial sessions
- You take responsibility for your own development and success
As part of your course, you will complete a Work Experience Tutorial programme in addition to either a Careers and Personal Development Passport or an industry linked placement.
Career & Personal Development Passport
An individualised programme focused on building employability skills, industry knowledge and personal qualities. In addition to CV writing and interview practice, it provides an opportunity to meet employers and discover more about working in your chosen sector.
Gold Award
Personal Skills Development
Complete 20 activities which progress your personal skills.
Building Industry Knowledge
Complete 4 employer or FE/HE engagement activities which build your industry knowledge
Employment Skills Development
Complete 5 activities which build your work skills or knowledge of careers in your industry, including a CV template and industry practice.
Silver Award
Personal Skills Development
Complete 15 activities which progress your personal skills.
Building Industry Knowledge
Complete 3 employer or FE/HE engagement activities which build your industry knowledge
Employment Skills Development
Complete 4 activities which build your work skills or knowledge of careers in your industry, including a CV template and industry practice.
Bronze Award
Personal Skills Development
Complete 10 activities which progress your personal skills.
Building Industry Knowledge
Complete 2 employer or FE/HE engagement activities which build your industry knowledge
Employment Skills Development
Complete 3 activities which build your work skills or knowledge of careers in your industry, including a CV template and industry practice.
Work & Industry Placements
30+ hours, in a role relevant to the qualification you are studying. Some students have a mandatory placement element to their qualification, including T-Levels with 315+ hours. Placement requirements will be discussed on application. You will be supported to find and apply for opportunities, as well as develop your employability skills ready to succeed in your placement.
Employers offering a placement
We would love to hear from you if you are an employer looking to offer a placement. We are always looking for organisations who want to commit to taking on suitable students and put them through their paces.
Your Questions Answered
What activities can be used towards my Careers & Personal Development Passport?
Personal Skills development takes place both in and outside college, e.g. attending a Student Voice meeting, being a member of a sports team, completing enrichment activities.
Industry knowledge is direct interaction with an employer or FE/HE institution, e.g. completing an employer live brief, attending a university open day, volunteering.
Employment Skills are specific to applying to future opportunities e.g. interview preparation, completing a CV template.
How do I record my activities for my Careers & Personal Development Passport?
All activities are recorded on our NAVIGATE system, this can be access directly from the Student ProPortal or via a smart phone.
Student will receive a full induction on how to access and use the NAVIGATE system and their Placement Officer and Progress Coaches will provide ongoing support.
Do I have to complete a placement?
A key element of studying at a vocational college is gaining valuable work experience. All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement during their time studying with us.
Some qualifications require students to complete a placement to pass their course. When enrolling in college you will be informed if you are required to complete placement hours.
When will I go on my placement?
Placements are planned during main college hours in addition to existing timetabled classes. Placements planned outside of these times are planned in agreement with the student and their parent/guardian.
Placements are planned throughout the academic year, although some courses set specific weeks for this activity. Students need to be flexible to attend when opportunities are found and placement activity planned into their timetable.
Can I find my own placement or use my part-time job?
Placement Officers will support with finding placements but students are actively encouraged to look for employers themselves.
Some part-time jobs may qualify as a placement if linked to the qualification been studied, and there is the opportunity for further development.
Students can only start their placement once their Placement Officer has confirmed the placement details with the company and vetted their Health & Safety compliance.
Can I be paid or claim any expenses?
Employers are not required to pay students on placement, however some employers may choose to reimburse expenses.
Students on bursary can claim support for travel and lunch on the days they attend. Funding is available to support eligible industry placements students with additional costs incurred completing an extended placement.
Some students impress their placement employers and are offered paid work after their placement finishes.
What do I do if I can’t attend or I don’t like my placement?
If they are not able to attend students must contact the employer and their Placement Officer before their start time. Students may need to make up hours missed to achieve their required hours.
If there are any concerns or something goes wrong during placement, students must contact their Placement Officer, they will provide support and help resolve any problems. Students must not just stop attending.