Elliott Hudson College is pleased to launch this year’s Work Experience Week 2025, from Monday 23 – Friday 27 June. During this week Year 12 students are given the opportunity to organise a work placement with a local business, school, or organisation in a field they are interested in pursuing as a future career.

“Work experience is a really exciting part of our Year 12’s journey at college,” said Miss Barrass, Work Experience Co-ordinator, “Many students aren’t sure what they want to do after college, so this helps them see what the daily aspects of employment are like. It’s a chance for students to gain a real life experience of what the next step would be like.”

Miss Barrass will be giving students advice and guidance on how to arrange work placements, every week during the Year 12 tutorials in the Hudson Hub. “Part of being independent is the students taking the responsibility in organising their own placement, but myself and the Careers Team, as always, are on hand to support and guidance on where to start.”

Students have a wide range of opportunities to explore from finance and law to engineering, media, and healthcare. With placements across Leeds, students developed practical skills, expanded their career ambitions, and experienced first-hand what working life is really like.

Here are some of the work placements our Year 13 students went on last year, showing the diversity of roles that are on offer.

Sulzer – Engineering Industry

Rashdan Khan and Julia Lach, completed their placements last year at Sulzer, a global leader in fluid engineering.

Rashdan impressed the team with his enthusiasm and eagerness to learn: “Rashdan brought great energy and enthusiasm to the placement,” said his supervisor. “His understanding of mechanical principles developed rapidly, and he showed a proactive approach to learning.”

Julia represented women in engineering with professionalism and drive: “Julia enhanced her understanding of engineering roles and saw firsthand how project management operates in the sector,” her mentor said. “She’s encouraged to continue developing her confidence and knowledge.”

Lowell Group Ltd and YFC – Finance Industry

In the finance sector, Milo Plunkett and Tilly Smyth experienced different aspects of working with numbers and clients.

Milo’s placement at Lowell Group Limited gave him clarity about his future: “It’s helped me understand both the pathways into finance and what working in an office actually feels like,” he said.

Tilly, placed at Yorkshire Financial Consultancy (YFC), developed both technical and communication skills: “I learnt how to complete a spreadsheet on Excel and even led calls with clients,” she said. “I’ll definitely consider office-based jobs in the future.”

Channel 4 News – Media and Television Industry

Callum Sheldon and Rebecca Gould explored the fast-paced world of television at Channel 4. “I learnt that there are a variety of pathways into jobs in TV,” said Callum. “I now understand how different media teams collaborate.”

Rebecca, interested in journalism, had the rare chance to observe a live news broadcast: “I was allowed in the newsroom during a live broadcast—I had to be completely silent!” she said. “Listening to the producers and director helped me understand how it all works. It made me seriously consider journalism as a future career.”

Shoosmith and Tyler Hoffman Solicitors – Law Firms

Emily English and Eesaa Nadeem explored legal careers through placements at Shoosmiths and Tyler Hoffman Solicitors.

Emily’s week at a corporate law firm affirmed her ambition: “I wanted to learn what a solicitor does day-to-day, and now I know. I definitely want to pursue an apprenticeship in law after college,” she said. “I’m proud of how confident I was when speaking to the team.”

Eesaa had the unique experience of attending a live court hearing: “It was amazing to go to court and watch a hearing,” he said. “I learnt the importance of professionalism in how you speak and present yourself to clients.”

Al Shafa Pharmacy – Pharmaceutical Industry

Hafsah Aziz completed her placement at Al Shafa Pharmacy, gaining hands-on experience in both healthcare and customer service. “I learnt how crucial patient counselling is in making sure people understand their medications,” she explained. “I also practiced dispensing, packaging, and preparing medication trays. This showed me that a pharmacist is not just a dispenser of medicine—they’re a vital part of healthcare.”

Work placements highlight the importance of practical experience in helping students explore potential careers, gain confidence, and develop essential skills such as teamwork, communication, time management, and professionalism. Miss Barrass adds: “Real-life experience can also strengthen university or apprenticeship applications and job interviews, demonstrating a student’s initiative, curiosity, and commitment to their future.”

Work Experience Week 2025 

This year’s Work Experience Week 2025, from Monday 23 – Friday 27 June. Current Year 12 Students looking to organise a Work Placement should follow the Work Experience Student Guide and find out more on the Work Experience website.

If you have any questions please contact Miss Barrass in the Careers Team.