Before Easter, Year 12 students were sent to their work experience placements for a week, which for many would have been their first step into the world of work. A big thank you is due to all of the businesses who accepted our students and provided them with this invaluable experience –

Damory Veterinary Clinic
Pimperne CE VC Primary School
Hall & Woodhouse Ltd
Blandford Town Museum
Ira croft Ltd
Yewstock School
Archbishop Wake CE VC Primary School
Blandford Library
Gorcombe Park Ltd
Creative Cars
Whitecliffe House Nursing Home
C G P Build Dorset Ltd
Blandford Forum Gymnastics Club & Kanga Club
Spread Eagle Inn
St Gregory Primary School
Shaftesbury Hospital Physio Department
Blackmore Vale Vets
Gibson Games
Alaska Dental House
Portmore Electrical
Coastal Partnership
Sturfit

Student Testimonials

Joel / Iracroft  – I felt a little nervous before going to work experience and wasn’t sure what was going to happen. Despite this I was somewhere confident it was something I was going to enjoy as I was keen to explore manufacturing industry. I learnt so much about myself and that for me not being sat in a chair for long periods of time wasn’t going to work well for me. I enjoyed the physical hands on experience that this work experience gave me. Because of this work experience I have decided what type of career I want to go into anything engineer, manufacturing or practical. Not only have I been offered work with the placement I went to I am now looking at other routes such as apprenticeships into this work. This experience was great it has allowed me explore the industry I am keen to progress my career in and gain work experience for my CV to support me in the future.

Freddie / St Gregory Primary School – Before work experience the word I would use I felt was sceptical as I didn’t want to work in a primary school. However, I learnt so much about myself. I am really good with kids, the placement was fun and engaging. I also learnt how good my organising and event management was alongside my creative skills as I made up activities on the go. Also arranging and managing group showed me that I posses good leadership qualities. Because of work experience I have learnt that I can lead when necessary. My biggest takeaway from this experience was that my biggest value is variety and not being in a job that isn’t active and challenging each day.

Bruce / Iracroft – I was really excited before my work experience placement and I knew it was something I wanted to get into. I learnt so much about myself during this placement and it solidified for me that being in a sedentary job wasn’t for me. I liked the physical environment and people. I found working towards goals and targets enjoyable and found out I work well under pressure. Because of work experience I have been given work as a result and offered apprenticeship opportunities for the future too. As a result of work experience my confidence has increased to pursue my career in this industry. It has affirmed to me this is the right work for me.

Employer Testimonials

Jackie Pitcher, Head Teacher of Archbishop Wake – All the students that came to Archbishop Wake School were helpful and professional. Students came in with great initiative, manner with the children and helpful to get on support through their work experience duties. Students were a real credit to the school and themselves.

Darren Collie from Iracroft – In the last month we have had 5 students from The Blandford School here for work experience. As the largest employer in the area, we have a social responsibility to help our local community where we can, and this includes our local school. The 5 students were exposed to various aspects of our business from Sales and Commercial to Engineering and Production operations and some even had a go at welding and brazing (Two of the students would have even passed a weld test!) and the feedback has been excellent, with a couple of the guys looking to join us in the summer for some further work over the summer period.  We cannot wait to welcome them back into the business and help them grow with us into our future colleagues and supporting us in growing our business.

This year has been the first year in sometime that we have been involved with offering work experience and we are excited to welcome further students over the coming years into the business for their work experience.

Our thanks go to the students involved this year for showing such interest and excitement during their time in the business.