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The ‘Ageless’ Benefits of Work Experience
27 July 2020
Heart of Worcestershire College (HoW College) Level 3 Business student, Elliott Fitzgerald-Harris, had a brilliant opportunity earlier this year to gain an ‘ageless’ work placement with Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forrest (Age UK BRWF).
Age UK is the country’s leading charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life; offering companionship, advice and support for older people who need it most. In addition to their fundraising and volunteering support, as a local Age UK Partner, Age UK BRWF work closely with the College to produce video projects and offer priceless work experience opportunities to students.
Speaking on his placement with Age UK, Elliott told us:
“During my time at Age UK I completed a number of tasks which included; data management, the creation of posters for upcoming events which the charity had organised, I reworked their application forms and I also took part in events such as their charity walk.
I have gained multiple skills such as planning events, being part of meetings and learning how to give my input. My work experience has helped me gain confidence and improved it massively.”
Discussing why he decided to seek a placement with Age UK and why he enjoyed the experience, Elliott said:
“I wanted a chance to experience something new and have a new challenge in a non-profit organisation. I enjoyed the new challenges I faced because it encouraged me to work harder and it improved my work in college because it gave me an insight into how what I was learning worked in real life.”
Work experiences, such as those provided by Age UK, are incredibly worthwhile which is why HoW College incorporate an element of work experience into every further education course; providing every student with the chance to build on their skills, improve their CV and see exactly how the theory they learn is put into practice in the real world.
The brilliant staff based at Age UK BRWF expressed their gratitude and praise for Elliott in a small follow-up report, within which they said:
“On behalf of everybody at Age UK BRWF, I would like to thank Elliott for all of his hard work and support for us as a local charity. Our aim for the placement was to give Elliott ‘meaningful’ tasks/activities in which he could take an ‘active role’, and, although his placement was unfortunately cut short due to the Coronavirus outbreak, his efforts have helped to make a difference in our work.”
Moving forward into the new academic year Heart of Worcestershire College and Age UK BRWF are continuing to work together, and in response to COVID-19 are planning virtual work placement projects until placements can resume in a physical capacity. Some of these projects include virtual fundraising and social media/marketing campaigns which will allow students to continue to gain those valuable employability skills during these challenging times.
If you would like to learn more about Age UK BRWF and how you can get involved, visit their website below:
