Our Work Experience Provision
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The Employability Partnership connects the worlds of education and business by brokering high‑quality work experience placements and providing a robust quality assurance service. Every placement we approve is checked to ensure it is safe, meaningful and appropriate for the student. We organise thousands of placements each year across an extensive range of occupational areas, including engineering, agriculture, retail, catering, childcare, science, finance, hair and beauty, and many more.
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Work experience can take a variety of forms, but typically falls into four main categories:
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Pre‑16 Block Placements
This remains the most widely recognised model of work experience and is highly valued by schools, academies and colleges across Cambridgeshire. Students in Years 10 or 11 undertake a one‑ or two‑week placement, gaining a structured introduction to the workplace.
 
​Targeted Placements
These placements support students from mainstream schools, special schools and alternative provision settings. They may take the form of one‑ or two‑week blocks, but more commonly involve attendance for one to three days per week over a term or the full academic year. Targeted placements are designed for students who benefit from a more sustained and personalised experience of the world of work.
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Post‑16 Placements
Post‑16 work experience is highly flexible and tailored to meet specific course requirements or higher education entry criteria. Placements vary in length and structure, depending on the needs of the student and the expectations of their programme.
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Independent Schools
Provision for independent schools mirrors Post‑16 arrangements, often supporting higher education entry requirements. Placements are typically sourced by the school or the students themselves, with our team providing quality assurance and support where required.
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Home‑Educated Students
Work experience is not limited to those in formal education settings. We also broker placements for home‑educated young people. Families can contact us directly to access this service.
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