Work Experience
Real Experience. Real Confidence.
Equipping students with the skills, confidence and experience they need to move forward - through practical learning of professional skills that prepares them not just for work, but for life.
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Our Offer Includes
Workplace Visits
Supervised visits to real workplaces, ranging from offices and shops to construction sites and care providers. These visits support career awareness and help students connect learning with the world beyond education.
Volunteering
Supported volunteering placements in community settings, designed to help students build confidence, gain responsibility, and give back. Volunteering also helps students develop the soft skills employers value, like teamwork and commitment.
Meet The Professional
Opportunities for students to speak directly with working professionals across a range of sectors. These sessions build aspiration, widen horizons, and help learners understand different job roles in a safe, informal setting.
Placements
Carefully sourced placements allow students to experience a job role first-hand, understand employers expect, and practise their skills in context. Placements are tailored to match students’ interests and strengths.
At C&G Education, work experience is central to helping students with SEND and SEMH explore their interests, discover their strengths and prepare for the world of employment, training or further education. By connecting students with real-world environments, we provide meaningful insights into the workplace. Building confidence, growing skills, developing understanding and shaping future goals.
A range of experiences
We know that every student is different – which is why we offer a variety of work-based experiences tailored to individual needs and aspirations. These experiences provide a supported and structured way for students to explore potential careers, making the process feel achievable and relevant. Importantly, they allow students to engage with a broader range of work environments without the pressure of committing to a formal placement. These ‘softer’ experiences of work help students test their assumptions, discover what they enjoy about certain industries or roles, and ultimately make more confident and informed decisions about their future pathways.
Why Work Experience Matters
Work experience is not just about preparing for employment - it’s about empowering students to make informed choices about their future. Our approach supports students to:
Understand the reality of different jobs and sectors
Identify careers that suit their skills and interests
Build a CV full of relevant, real-world experiences
Develop independence, communication, and professionalism
Gain the confidence to speak about their journey in interviews or applications
Supported Every Step of the Way
All experiences are coordinated and supported by our Job Coaches, who prepare students beforehand and guide them through every step of the process. We work closely with employers to make sure placements are safe, inclusive, and structured to meet students where they are.
Experiences at work are also linked into their direct teaching sessions, students reflect on their experiences, develop action plans and build towards positive, realistic outcomes.
Ready to refer a young person?
Find out more about our referral process and how we can support the young people in your care.