Be Ambitious Week
During the first year, students will be encouraged to take part in a compulsory week dedicated to our 'Be Ambitious' strategy. With access to meaningful employer encounters such as employer-led projects, work placements and workshops, you will develop key employability skills and have the opportunity to engage with industry experts.
This is an incredible opportunity to become involved in the world of work or academia and start on your path to a successful future.
98% of students feel that they enhanced or gained employability skills by taking part in Be Ambitious week.
94% of students feel by taking part it has positively impacted their future career.
Be Ambitious Week: Monday 14TH JUNE - 18TH JUNE 2027
Be Ambitious Week is designed to support A1 students with gaining meaningful work experience by a placement or participating in an employer-led project at college. We have some fantastic opportunities to get involved in with local, national and international employers!
What can I get involved in during Be Ambitious Week 2027?
Choose the best option for you:
- Take part in a college-sourced placement
- Arrange your own self-placement
- Apply for an employer-led project
All three options are excellent ways to develop transferable employability skills, build professional networks, gain experience and start thinking about your future next steps.
What is a college-sourced placement?
A college-sourced placement is an opportunity identified by our Work Placements Team. Students will be able to view the available placements and apply for opportunities that interest them.
Places may be limited, and applying does not guarantee that you will be offered a placement. Please check the opportunity details carefully, including any entry requirements, location, travel arrangements and application deadlines.
Information about available college-sourced placements and how to apply will be shared by the Work Placements Team. Please check your college email regularly for updates.
What is a self-placement?
A self-placement is a placement that you arrange directly with an employer. This could be with a local business, public service, charity, school, healthcare organisation or another suitable workplace.
Before submitting your self-placement form, you must have:
- Contacted the employer
- Received confirmation that the employer is willing to host you
- Agreed the placement dates and working arrangements
- Provided all the information requested by the Work Placements Team
- Self-placement forms will be sent out by the Work Placements Team. All required documents must be received by the published deadline so that the appropriate checks can be completed.
What is the employer-led project?
An employer-led project gives you the opportunity to work on a real task or challenge set by an employer. You may work individually or as part of a team to research ideas, solve problems, develop recommendations or present your work.
All the Be Ambitious placements can help you develop skills including:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Creativity
- Organisation
- Presentation skills
- Time management
why should i take part?
Be Ambitious Week is an opportunity to:
- Gain meaningful experience
- Develop your employability skills
- Meet employers and professionals
- Explore possible career pathways
- Build your confidence
- Strengthen future university, apprenticeship and job applications
In 2026, 98% of participating students said their placement enhanced their employability skills.
What should I do next?
Please check your college email regularly for information about Be Ambitious week.
Be Ambitious Week: 15TH JUNE - 19TH JUNE 2026
What is Be Ambitious?
Be Ambitious is our flagship employability programme giving opportunity for employers and industry professionals to work with students from Ashton Sixth Form College on our either a real life work-based project or providin
“Excellent programme and well done to everyone in ASF who made this a success.” 2023 Industry Mentor
“I think the Be Ambitious Week was an excellent opportunity for learners to showcase their talents but also for [us] to gain a new insight into our services.” 2023 Industry Mentor
What do employers get out of the experience?
Employers supporting an employer-led project will have the opportunity to design a brief that the business could benefit from, for example, the project could consist of some local market research or an idea for a new product design. You could also use this as an opportunity to raise the profile of your business with young people or attract a more diverse workforce. Ultimately, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a difference to young people’s lives and influence their future career path.
“The communication between the college and myself was great, clear or what was needed from myself and no expectation for it to eat into a large part of my day. It was also really interesting to hear and see new perspectives on the task and topic I personally set.” 2023 Industry Mentor
Become a sponsor
Are you interested in raising your profile with young people to attract a more diverse workforce? Do you want to support future talent? Email beambitious@asfc.ac.uk for more details.
