Do Work Placements Really Help Students Find Employment?

Young people entering today's competitive job market face a persistent challenge: employers want experience, but how do you gain experience without a job? Work-based placements have emerged as a popular solution, with training programmes across the UK promoting them as a pathway to employment. But do these placements actually deliver on their promise?

Hannah Newman, an experienced educator delivering pre-employment training for 16-25 year olds, decided to investigate this very question. Her comprehensive action research project examined 121 students across nine cohorts, combining hard data with student voices to uncover the real impact of work placements on employment outcomes.

The findings challenge some common assumptions while reinforcing others. Newman's research reveals that while 54% of students who completed placements secured employment afterwards—exceeding the programme's 40% target—the relationship between placements and job success isn't as straightforward as many believe. Perhaps most surprisingly, 15% of students found employment without completing any placement at all.

The timing question proved particularly intriguing. While educators often worry about delays between classroom learning and placement starts, Newman discovered that students themselves weren't bothered by gaps—as long as they knew the placement would happen. Some students waited up to 23 weeks, yet this didn't significantly impact their employment prospects.

What emerged most clearly was the value students place on these opportunities. Every single student surveyed considered their placement important, with 75% stating that the promise of a placement influenced their decision to join the programme. Their reasons were compelling: gaining confidence, understanding workplace culture, developing transferable skills, and having something concrete to discuss in job interviews.

The qualitative insights paint a picture of young people hungry for real-world experience. As one student explained, "Without the placement I wouldn't be able to apply what I have learned. The placement makes it more real." Another highlighted the practical benefits: "I wanted to see if I could get up in the mornings" and "I wanted to see if I could cope with working and being a parent."

Newman's research offers valuable lessons for educators, policymakers, and employers involved in youth employment initiatives. While placements may not guarantee jobs, they clearly provide something equally important: the confidence, skills, and motivation that help young people navigate the working world.

Her findings suggest that the question isn't whether placements work, but how we can make them work better for everyone involved.