The Guildford College Group is the largest provider of Further and Higher Education in Surrey, enrolling around 7,000 students every year across the three Colleges:

Guildford College, Stoke Park

Merrist Wood College, Worplesdon 

Farnham Sixth Form College, Farnham 

Just over a third of the Guildford College Group students study full-time courses with the majority aged between 16 and 18 years old. Work experience is a key component of study programmes for 16 to 19 year olds introduced by the Department of Education in 2013.  All students are expected to undertake work experience or some form of work-related training tailored to their career aspirations as part of their study programme.

Work experience can help students make career choices, develop their employability skills and provide links between their studies and the world of work.  It provides a valuable opportunity for students to gain an insight into working, its disciplines and challenges, to be involved with a variety of tasks and activities and to gain an understanding of:

• The structure of the organisation

• The qualifications and training required for key job roles 

• The rewards and constraints of work 

The Guildford College Group supports a high volume of students to secure meaningful work experience placements and are always keen to partner with employers who are interested in helping students enhance their skills through work experience. 

Core areas of interest that currently have a shortage of work experience placements include Business Management (Business, IT, Marketing, HR and Gaming), the Creative arts (Art and Design, Performing Arts, Media and Photography) and Construction.  

The format of work experience can be either a 5 day working week, or as day release where the student attends the workplace 1 day per week over a 5 week period. Employers are asked to review and discuss a student’s progress and performance, share background information on their industry, and discuss the qualifications and training needed for their workplace. 

If you or a member of your team are keen to partner with The Guildford College Group and welcome a work experience student into your organisation, please contact  our Work Experience Team for more information by email at  scunningham@guildford.ac.uk or by telephone on 01483 88 40 55.