Our Notre Dame Pathway students excelled on their recent work experience placements.
These students are studying one-year level two qualifications and re-taking GCSE English or Maths, in preparation for progressing to level three study such as A-levels or BTECs. Their placements are designed to develop their employability skills, provide an insight into potential future careers, and build their confidence through experience of the workplace.
The employers offering placements from June 7 to 11 this year included UWM Accountants, Life Church Leeds, the Hamara Centre, Khan Pharmacy, and a number of primary schools.
The positive and mature approach taken by our students was clear from the excellent feedback provided by these employers, who were particularly impressed at how hardworking, enthusiastic, and keen to learn the students were. It would be impossible to list all of the praise for our students but a few examples of the comments made can be found below.
Our students have told us their placements were beneficial in a variety of ways. More than half said they felt extremely confident afterwards, as well as very knowledgeable about the sector they’d experienced. All but two said their communication skills had improved, and all but one felt they now have good or excellent teamwork skills. Student comments included those below.
“I had an amazing time! An interesting week where I learnt a lot of things I never knew about working in a pharmacy. Highly recommend if you want to help patients/customers!”
“I had so much fun and also built up my confidence.”
“I really enjoyed work experience as it showed me what the working life is like.”
The Careers Department would like to congratulate these students for being a true credit to Notre Dame, and would like to thank all employers involved in work experience placements for offering such high-quality opportunities to our young people.
Employer comments:
Placement: St Theresa Primary School
Employer comment: “She was hardworking, polite, enthusiastic and a great help in class. The children loved her, and she supported them in painting, reading, role play and many more aspects of their learning. She impressed all the adults in the team as she was pleasant, willing, and happy to work at whatever activity asked. She also showed initiative and found vital jobs to do without being asked. We very much hope she will return as she made herself an invaluable part of the team.”
Placement: FHP Electrical Ltd
Employer comment: “He has kept good time keeping and has turned up early every day so far this week. Also the engineer he has been work alongside has commented that he has shown interest and initiative while working with him.”
Placement: Heart Centre, Headingley
Employer comment: ‘She was great! She picked up things really quickly and, most impressively, when she knew what the tasks were and when they needed to be done, she took these on independently. She was keen to be involved, helping out in the cafe and talking to all the different staff and volunteers. We also asked her to do Track and Trace which involved her asking customers for their details and, again, she was very happy to do this. It was an absolute pleasure to have her here and we hope she enjoyed her time and, most importantly, got something out of being here.”
Website By Rejuvenate Digital