As Gold members of the Hippodrome Education Network we were given the opportunity to put down students forward for interviews to have work experience at the Hippodrome. Students will have the opportunity to work front of house, back stage, marketing and in the box office.

Since 2015 we have had a Supported Internship Programme at National Grid. Interested students take part in work inspiration week to find out more about National Grid, then if they pursue the placement spend 5 days a week during term time on placements such as IT support, office – data and processes, SHE team (Safety, Health and Environment), the do one placement per term. The students are supported by qualified job coaches and also achieve a BTEC Certificate in Work Skills. We have had students apply for and successful become employed by National Grid based on their internship.

Glide offer students a utility bills package (split between housemates in one monthly payment) to cover gas, electricity, water, TV licence and broadband.

We plan to re-establish links once work experience opportunities can take place again.

Our previous plan was to start with work experience, building to a supported internship the following academic year.  We were at the point of implementing work experience prior to the pandemic.

Offers volunteering opportunities to improve the canal towpaths and enhance the local area.

Students develop a range of skills along with enhancing the local area to attract wildlife and tourists. The students do litter picking, painting fences, digging, cutting back overgrowth, planting and dredging. This work often forms part of the students' PSD unit of work, or D of E qualification

We currently work with the Wildlife Trust to complete our Volunteering Section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. We perform a variety of tasks at their centre, learning new skills and using new equipment. This year we are trialling running a Level 1 Open College Network Qualification alongside the award.

Bells Farm offers a work experience placement to students who have an interest in grounds maintenance such as gardening, and other manual work such as setting up for meetings and events.

The school has forged a strong link with Cancer Research UK, and have placed students for work experience in their shop in Cotteridge. Students have had the opportunity to do stock checks, window dressing, stock rotation or seasonal wear, stocking shelves, and using the till. The students have enjoyed it immensely.

The school set up a link with Cadbury which enabled one of our students to experience different roles within the company. They experience working in the gift shop, the museum experience and in the chocolate making kitchen, and had a go at making a design of their own!

Before lockdown, links were formed with Birmingham museum to place students for work experience. We hope to resurrect this link once lockdown lifts.

Zodiac advertise catering equipment and have a small showroom on site. Students were placed for work experience and learned how to use industry spec cameras and take pictures, help with correspondence and other administration tasks.

Students undertook a work experience placement here with pre-school children, helping the staff run gymnastics sessions.

8 students attend one morning each week for a term doing construction projects. 

Students develop a range of real life and work skills; using a range of tools and equipment. They produce planters, bug houses, bird houses.

Interaction (online and visits) with the RN engagement team who talk students about the career opportunities available to them and what a career in the RN would involve. Residential visits to RN bases. We have two annual trips (Covid permitting) to RN bases where students have the opportunity to take part in a “taster” of RN training and life. These are to HMS Raleigh and HMS Bristol(although this is now closed so will be visiting Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth instead.) As part of Public Service Careers unit we visit the Armed Forces career office in Birmingham City centre for presentation from staff. We also host members of the Ambulance Service and Fire Service who speak to students about their job and how they could pursue a career in those services.

Students have worked in the QAC kitchen, learning new skills and making a range of tasty dishes to take home for their families to try.