Work experience students take first steps into world of work at Torridge District Council

A group of Year 10 students from Kingsley School and Bideford College recently joined officers at Torridge District Council to take part in a week-long work experience programme. The placements are designed to offer students an insight into the world of work and how council services operate, whilst helping to boost their self-confidence, skill sets and emotional development, through involvement in real life work scenarios.

The students had the opportunity to work in a wide range of departments, including; Customer Services, Public Health and Community Safety, Communications and Legal to gain a broad range of experiences. The council also tried to accommodate student's preferences for career progression by matching them with their own choice of work area for at least part of their placements.

The students all had an amazing week and appreciated the effort put in by staff and the wide variety of experiences on offer. “I enjoyed my week at the council because I learnt a lot, everyone I met was welcoming and there was a large variety of things to do,” commented one student, with another adding: “I really enjoyed myself – (it) opened my eyes to new departments that I wouldn’t have considered otherwise.”  Another student commented: “I was a bit nervous in the beginning but in every department, they’ve been so welcoming, honestly don’t want to go back to school it’s been so fun here!”

Work experience placements are an excellent way to develop skills and explore various job opportunities. Our thanks for Torridge District Council for this hands-on and immersive experience for our students, enabling them to gain an insight into the daily operations of a Local Government Authority.

Sarah Ayres, Human Resources and Communications Manager said:

"We are delighted to have been able to assist students in their first steps towards a professional career. We understand that thinking about the future can be intimidating, which is why we have provided a diverse range of opportunities to help students gain a better understanding of the potential career paths available when working for a Local Government Authority. The Torridge Officers have enjoyed working with the students, guiding them through real-life experiences to provide them with a deeper insight into the areas that interest them. We welcome anyone who is interested in completing their work experience at the Council."