To Infinity and Beyond… “Traditional” Placements

For a long time, the ‘traditional’ sandwich placements and internships have been the cornerstone of experiential learning (learning by doing) for students, however, with the rapidly evolving labour market, these pathways to gaining employment experience are for the benefit of all parties involved.

By diversifying the types of opportunity available to students we can diversify the talent that participates, the organisations we engage with, and the benefits that become available to all involved.

At Manchester Met we are proud to do things differently and our flagship, Guardian award-winning, experiential learning programme, Rise, does exactly that. Rise is a unique initiative which provides our students with the chance to enhance their studies by gaining recognition for learning beyond their degree.

What does this mean for the employers we engage with?
This exclusive programme provides employers with new opportunities to expand their employment offers and participate with our institution in innovative and exciting ways.

Futureproofing is important to us. Let us help you to get ahead of the curve by engaging with us, here are a few examples:

Certifications
A sector leading initiative, our students have funded access to a variety of formal certifications in various areas, Microsoft programmes, Adobe, Project Management, Cisco, Autodesk, and more.

By completing a certification our students receive formal recognition that sets them apart from others. Do you have a certification or short course opportunity to offer? Do you want to benefit from our talented students who have completed one of these certifications?

Self-Study
Our self-study packs provide students with the opportunity to engage in a range of different topics to improve their skills and knowledge. Self-study packs require around 10 hours of commitment from students, and they can complete them alongside their studies, tailoring what they complete to fit with their career and development goals.

We have self-study opportunities in, social media, enterprise, app design, languages, and many more. Want to contribute to a self-study pack? Get in touch to find out more.

Career Incubators
Our solution to non-linear career pathways, Career Incubators provide a safe space for students to explore a different pathway from their degree background, enabling a more diverse skillset and knowledge base.

Examples of some incubators we’ve offered are, Creative Digital Experts with SharpFutures (supporting students with an interest in creative sectors but who don’t come from creative backgrounds), Caring for Others (for students looking into a career in nursing or healthcare), and Aspiring Teachers (allows for students to explore teaching before committing to a PGCE).

We’re always looking for ways to expand this offer, so if you have any ideas or would like to contribute to your own Incubator, let us know!

Projects and Non-Traditional Placements
This is a dedicated space for all other opportunities that don’t fit with the “traditional” placement offer. Shorter term roles, mini projects, employer led projects, employer led volunteering opportunities, and more.

Traditional Placement opportunities still hold their value, and we have hundreds of success stories from students each year who go on a year in industry. But for those students who can’t take up this offer, it’s important to still allow them opportunities that other students have access to.

Want to learn more about experiential and skills-based learning and how you can get involved? Contact us for an informal chat via email, [email protected]