Leading businesses have offered Ron Dearing UTC students work experience placements this summer, boosting their confidence and enabling them to immerse themselves in the workplace.
A total of 21 businesses from across the region have offered 31 different “industry experiences” to 90 Year 12 students as they consider their options and plan for their exciting futures.
A range of additional businesses have already welcomed a further 14 Year 10, 12 and 13 students into medical, social care, veterinary, theatre, civil engineering, aerospace and electric motorsport placements this year.
This is the highest number of students and businesses involved in Ron Dearing UTC’s work experience programme since the school’s inception in 2017.
More than 20 students will also complete the three day First Aid at Work course during the summer holidays.
Most students applied for their work experience placements with CVs and covering letters before attending an interview, giving them vital job application and interview experience. They also received important feedback from the employers to help them improve their applications and interview techniques.
Prior to applying for the work experience placements, students took part in mock interview sessions led by Yvonne Moir from one of Ron Dearing’s Founding Partners, Spencer Group, supported by representatives from the UTC’s Employer Partners.
Lisa Regan, Assistant Principal – Professionalism at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “We’re thrilled with the response from students and businesses for this year’s work experience programme. This is the best it has ever been.
“The goal is to help our students discover their interests and ambitions while companies get to know them and hopefully build on those relationships for potential future employment or apprenticeship opportunities.
“We have excellent students and many of the employers have already met some of them at our recent Careers Expo, so they have them on their radar for next year’s recruitment drive.
“There are so many benefits to our students being in the workplace. It helps to inform their decisions moving forward and they grow in confidence.
“It’s a pleasure to support our students in finding the right work experience placement for them. Some have even sourced their own, which is a very positive step.”
Year 12 student Daniel Bond, 17, who is studying Double Engineering at Ron Dearing UTC, has been offered a five-day work experience placement at Porsche Centre Hull, a Ron Dearing UTC Major Partner and F1 in Schools challenge Sustainability Partner.
Daniel said: “I’ve always been a fan of Formula 1 and Porsche cars and I’m really excited about the opportunity.
“I’d like to work in the car or motorsport industry and hopefully secure an apprenticeship when I leave Ron Dearing UTC. The school has so many networks, connections and partnerships with great companies, which is a very good support for students.”
Fellow Year 12 student Emily Barton, 17, who is studying Photography, 3D Design and Graphic Design at Ron Dearing UTC, is looking forward to a five-day work experience placement at Hull’s Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI), another of the school’s Major Partners.
Emily said: “I’m looking forward to being hands-on and learning more software skills during my work experience placement.
“I’d like a creative apprenticeship when I leave Ron Dearing UTC and the work experience application process has helped us to get ready for the workplace environment.”
The companies which have offered “industry experience” work placements to Ron Dearing UTC students this summer are:
Bluestorm, Bonus Electrical, C4DI, CATCH, Cranswick Country Foods, Ideal Heating, J&CR Wood, Jupiter IT Solutions, KCOM, Klaafe, Litmus Mockups, Pagabo, Porsche Centre Hull, Quickline Communications, Ridings Consulting Engineers, Sewell Group, Shared Agenda, Smailes Goldie, Smith+Nephew, Spencer Group and Wood.
Additional placements which have already been completed by students in Year 10, 12 and 13 this year include:
Aldgate Vets, BAE Systems, Bridlington Spa, City Health Care Partnerships (CHCP), East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Haven Vets, Holy Name Care Home and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.