Work Placement Coordinator

Job description

John Dewey Specialist College / Area 51 Education is a Further Education Special Educational Needs College based in Wood Green, North London.

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Work Placement Coordinator to join our team. As a Work Placement Coordinator you will effectively engage with local employers to source work experience opportunities and industry placements for learners and ensure that the preparation, delivery, and evaluation of placements are meaningful, relevant, and sustained to a high quality.

The Work Placement Coordinator will maintain and develop excellent working relationships with students, employers, and colleagues, be understanding of students' needs, and understand how to equip students with the employability skills needed to undertake a successful placement.

About you:

You will be a dynamic individual who is open to a challenge, and who is passionate about supporting SEND students to gain the skills, experiences and networks they need to be successful in their chosen work placements.

You will have a Level 3 qualification or equivalent and at least two years’ experience in a similar working environment, or experience of work within the industry sectors related to our students' courses.

You will have excellent networking and interpersonal skills and you will enjoy developing business opportunities and communicating with a range of audiences including employers, academic staff, and students.

You will be accountable for work placements across the college, as well as helping to organise sector-specific careers events and other projects that benefit our students. Experience in supporting students in developing soft skills and work-ready behaviours, would be great to see.

You should have excellent communication skills, an ability to provide exceptional customer service and a passion for bridging the gap between education and the world of work. Knowledge of the local and regional labour market is an advantage.

A full clean Driving Licence is required for this position.

Responsibilities

• Be aware of H&S, Safeguarding, PBS & Risk assessment Policy
• Keep a spreadsheet with employer details, type of placement and insurance details.
• Explore opportunities to train job coaches in situ with other providers such as Mencap
• Develop a job portfolio / detailed CV with pictures/ job skills – accessible CVs.
• Work experience outcomes set on evidence for learning.
• Pull out sessions with individual students.
• Liaising with teachers about level assessments for each ESFA students
• Connect with other local partners around job searches, connections and placements.
• Training in specific job skill areas.
• Work with internal college staff to develop internal work experience opportunities.
• Devise guidance for teachers on how to discuss career options with students

Carry out risk assessments on new work placements and settings.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the John Dewey team who are passionate and dedicated to providing our students with the best possible teaching and training to fulfil the futures best suited to them.

About us:

At John Dewey Specialist College / Area 51 Education we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in all our activities for everyone who learns and works here. We respect and value differences and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We create a safe and trusting professional environment where people are treated well and equally.

We are committed to safeguarding and protection of young people and adults and follow Safer Recruitment processes. All successful candidates will need to complete a DBS check, with some roles requiring an Enhanced check.

Our values Equality, Identity, Integrity and Self Determination are the key ideas and principles that people within our organisation believe are important. They sum Our Purpose: why we do what we do, and Our Approach: how we go about our work.