Employers

Working with students from a sixth form college presents numerous benefits for employers.

Firstly, it offers the opportunity to shape and develop the future workforce by identifying and nurturing potential talent early on. This can lead to a pipeline of skilled and motivated individuals who are familiar with the company’s values and practices.

Additionally, collaborating with a college can help raise awareness about career opportunities within the sector, thereby attracting more young talent. By engaging with the local community in this way, businesses can also strengthen their network with other organisations and services, fostering a spirit of collaboration and mutual support. Moreover, working on joint projects or tasks with students can bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the table, contributing to the company’s growth and success. Furthermore, partnering with a college demonstrates a commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and social value, which can enhance the company’s reputation and public image.

Lastly, mentoring and coaching students not only benefits them in terms of skill development but also allows existing staff to refine their leadership and communication skills, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Employer Opportunities

Ashton Sixth Form College is keen to expand our Employer Network, increase opportunities for students and help prevent skills gaps. We want to give students an insight into a variety of industries; below are some of the things you can get involved in:

  • Guest speaker – Throughout the year, we invite employers to visit ASFC to deliver talks to large groups, subject classes or run a 1:1 discussion/smaller sessions. This gives students the chance to ask employers questions about their business or the wider sector.
  • Be Ambitious - Our flagship employability programme designed to support students to complete a meaningful work-based project set by industry professionals. Employers will have the opportunity to design a project brief for students that the business could benefit from e.g. a project that consists of some local market research or an idea for a new product design. Click here for more information.
  • Workplace safari – Invite students for a “day in the life” to get a taste of the world of work. Employers can take students on a tour of the facilities/departments and showcase the different careers within the business. Some organisations tie this in with a session on careers within the industry. This could be a couple of hours or a full day.
  • Work placements – Work with our Work Placements Team to provide valuable work experience for our students. The team will support employers to build the placement on an individual basis. Students may need to complete a certain amount of hours for their course or be interested in a week/two-week long experience during a half-term break.
  • Industry/sector focused workshops - Invite students to take part in a planned project or masterclass/workshop this can be held at your organisation or at the college.
  • Mentoring – The opportunity to match employers with students interested in a particular profession. Mentoring allows students to expand their professional networks, explore a particular sector, build confidence and develop crucial work-related skills.
  • Participation in Careers Fairs – Invitations will be sent to attend a variety of events; employers will be given a stand and will have the opportunity to share information about joining your industry after students leave college.
  • Virtual employer experiences – From ‘Days in the Life of’ Tour to Q&A sessions, there are lots of ways to work together virtually. If you have any questions, please email beambitious@asfc.ac.uk.