When you join Hereward College, whatever course you choose it will be designed to suit your individual needs and support progression.

English and maths are included across all study programmes and there is a focus on developing employability and enterprise skills.

All learners have a timetabled employability session linked to areas of study.  This includes understanding job roles, preparing for interviews, money management, presentation skills and CV workshops.

Students also take part in project-based enterprise initiatives which can include anything from gardening to cooking and sales.

You will have the opportunity to access work experience, taster sessions, careers support and placements related to your study as well as developing skills for independent living.

Work related learning

You will start your employability journey as soon as you arrive at college supported throughout your study by a Job Coach who will guide you towards personal and achievable targets with ongoing advice and support.

The Job Coach team work with over 50 employers to help promote local work placement and networking opportunities linked to the local labour market. This can include guest speakers, visits to local employers and careers events; as well as an individualised work experience programme depending on your interest area. 

Your Job Coach will provide you with careers education and guidance, and help you to transfer the skills developed at Hereward into the workplace. This includes

• Sourcing short- or long-term work experience
• Applications for employment
• Supported internship, trainee and apprenticeship opportunities
• Sector and role-based skills training
• Travel to work
• Onsite workplace support
• Money management advice and training
• Disability and safeguarding awareness training with employers

Transition to Employment

Learners keen to go onto do a supported internship, traineeship or apprenticeship but need extra support in the move from college to an external employer can take part in a year long Transition to Employment programme.

On our Transition to Employment course, work skills are developed through employer visits, sector-based learning and work experience. You will also study English, maths and a City & Guilds or Open Awards customer service qualification. 

During your time at college you will also develop skills such as resilience, communication, workplace behaviours, independent travel, money management and interview preparation – essential for entering the workplace.

Supported Internships

Hereward runs supported internship programmes working in partnership with a number of regional and national employers.

Supported internships are a study programme aimed at young people (aged 16-24) with an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan to gain experience in the workplace within a supported environment. They provide a platform for young people to further develop their skills and experience in a structured way.

Learners take part in the programme with one of our partner employers and spend up to 30 hours a week working in different areas to gain valuable experience with the support of an on-site Hereward Job Coach. Interns spend one day a week studying for a City & Guilds qualification in Employability Skills and can take maths and English qualifications suitable to their level. 

A supported internship can be applied for at the end of your study with Hereward or as direct entry onto the programme. Taking part in the supported internship can lead to huge benefits including:

• Additional qualifications
• Potential job opportunities
• Valuable transferable skills
• Enhanced CV
• Developed teamwork and communication skills

Students have gone on to get permanent paid jobs at employers such as Holiday Inn, Severn Trent, Citizen Housing, and West Midlands Police as a direct result of their supported internship placements.

Hereward’s supported internship programme is open to both external and internal applications. For more information on the application process contact the Admissions team on admissions@hereward.ac.uk

Students on our residential programme will have the opportunity to follow our transition to work programme. This is a two-year programme designed to help students develop essential skills for entering the workplace.