Employers invited to apply for student industry placements financial support

17th September 2020

Employers are being offered financial support to provide Sheffield College students with industry placements as part of a wider skills led recovery from Covid-19.

In recognition of the impact of coronavirus, the Employer Support Fund pilot scheme 2020/21 covers the costs for employers of hosting students on industry placements.

The Sheffield College is the first further education provider in Sheffield City Region to take part in the pilot scheme.  Funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency, the scheme is open to any employer of any size in any geographical location.

Under the scheme, an employer can claim financial support for a maximum of 10 students, when offering an industry placement.  

The financial support is available where money is a barrier to an employer taking on a work experience student; they will receive £750 per learner.

Angela Foulkes, Chief Executive and Principal, The Sheffield College, said: “It’s vital that we continue to deliver high quality industry placements to support the city as part of a skills led recovery, and we are delighted to offer this scheme.”

She added: “This reflects our wider commitment to ensuring that students access education and training opportunities that will help them go further in their careers and supporting employers to mould the talent of the future with the skills they need for growth.”

Rachel Topliss, Head of Employer Academy Partnerships and Work-Related Activity, The Sheffield College, added: “The College is introducing new opportunities for students to complete online placements with employers to stay Covid-19 secure.”

During this academic year 2020/21, the College is launching a new virtual work placement programme involving key employers, guest speakers and masterclasses to prepare students for the world of work.

The College currently works with approximately 1,523 industry placement employers who provide placement experience and work-related opportunities.

To find out more about the Employer Support Fund scheme, please email industryplacements@sheffcol.ac.uk.