Work Experience
At Waterfront UTC, work experience plays a vital role in preparing students for life beyond education. Our structured work experience programme supports students in developing employability skills, building confidence, and gaining first-hand insight into the world of work. By encouraging students to source placements independently and engage with employers, we help them take meaningful steps towards their future aspirations.
Our programme is designed to support students at key stages of their education, ensuring they are well prepared, supported, and able to reflect on their experiences.
Year 10 Work Experience
All Year 10 students will have the opportunity to complete one week of work experience in July.
The Year 10 work experience programme is launched in January/February, where students are introduced to the process during form time. They receive guidance on how to search for suitable placements, what is expected of them in the lead-up to their placement, and how to conduct themselves while on work experience.
Students are tasked to source their placement independently, providing an ideal opportunity to practise networking with working professionals, develop communication skills, and build confidence. This approach supports the development of essential soft skills that are highly valued by employers.
To ensure students feel prepared, pre-placement activities are completed during the term prior to work experience. These sessions help students understand workplace expectations, professional behaviour, and how to make the most of their placement.
During the placement week, a member of staff will check in with students to offer support where needed. Once the placement has finished, students complete post-placement evaluations, allowing them to reflect on their learning, skills development, and future career interests.
Parents, carers, and students can access detailed information about the Year 10 work experience programme via the video shared below, which will be updated regularly to reflect the most up-to-date guidance.
Digital Work Experience System - GroFar WEX
We now use a fully digital system called GroFar WEX to manage and document work experience placements.
Students will be required to create a login once invited by the school to join the GroFar WEX platform, which streamlines the entire process. The system allows digital requests to be sent directly to parents/carers and employers for approval and completion of all required paperwork. This ensures placements are processed efficiently and safely before being confirmed.
More information about the GroFar WEX system can be found in the online video below.
Post-16 Work Experience (Year 12)
For our Post-16 students, work experience is a compulsory part of the Year 12 programme. This ensures students continue to develop their employability skills, broaden their professional networks, and gain experience relevant to their chosen pathways.
The Year 12 work experience programme is launched in September. Students are guided on how to source an appropriate placement and are supported in understanding the importance of work experience as part of their personal and professional development.
Students are expected to independently secure a placement in preparation for taking part in work experience in February. As with Year 10, placements are processed through the GroFar WEX digital system, with approvals required from parents/carers and employers before confirmation.
Further detailed guidance for students, parents, and carers is available in the online video below.
A Proven and Successful Programme
In previous years, Waterfront UTC’s work experience programme has been extremely successful. We have received positive feedback from a wide range of local and national employers, many of whom have praised our students for their professionalism, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn. These strong employer relationships continue to support and enhance opportunities for our students year on year.
Employer Engagement and Careers Support
Waterfront UTC is proud to work closely with a wide range of employers who regularly support our students. Many of these employers attend our annual Careers Fair in December, providing students with the opportunity to ask questions, explore industries, and discuss potential work experience placements.
These strong employer partnerships help ensure our students are well informed, confident, and prepared as they take their next steps into apprenticeships, further education, higher education, training, or employment.
If you would like further information about work experience at Waterfront UTC, please refer to the videos below or contact the school directly.