Work Placement Officer

Role:                            Work Placement Officer
Department:              Sports, Public Services, Travel & Tourism
Salary:                        £25,157 per annum
Contract Type:           Permanent, Full time

Hours:                         37 hours per week

Reference: REC2214 | Closing Date:  Sunday, 3rd August 2025

The Opportunity

You’ll play a key role in connecting our students with meaningful work placement opportunities that support their future career goals. You’ll also help raise the profile of the College within the local and regional business community by developing positive, lasting relationships with employers and business networks.

You’ll be meeting employers, building partnerships, and promoting the benefits of working with our students. Whether it’s through face-to-face meetings, social media, email campaigns or networking events, you’ll use a variety of approaches to engage employers and secure high-quality placements that meet agreed targets for your curriculum area.

Supporting our students is central to your role. You’ll work with them to understand their interests and aspirations, helping to match them with placements that offer valuable, hands-on experience. You’ll visit them during their placements, offer guidance, and ensure everything runs smoothly and safely. You’ll also collaborate with course leaders and colleagues across departments to keep things streamlined and effective.

With strong organisational skills, you’ll keep accurate records of your work and provide regular updates on your progress. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference – helping students gain experience, build confidence and take the next step towards their chosen career.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is confident, proactive, and able to build strong, professional relationships with a wide range of people. You’ll have experience working in a customer-focused environment and will understand the importance of providing a high level of service to both our students and employers. Your ability to engage with businesses and maintain positive, ongoing relationships will be key to your success.

You should bring experience of working or liaising with employers and a solid understanding of how to support our students in workplace settings. You’ll know how to match the right placement to the right learner, considering individual needs, aspirations, and curriculum requirements. Strong organisation, time management, and teamwork skills are essential, as is the ability to prioritise your workload and work independently when needed.

Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal – are a must, as you’ll be speaking with a wide range of stakeholders and representing the College in a professional and approachable manner. You’ll also be confident using IT systems for word processing and data inputting, ensuring records are accurate and up to date.

If you’re self-motivated, well-organised, and passionate about helping our students gain meaningful experience, this could be a great opportunity for you.

Below is a list of some of the key skills, qualifications and experience we are seeking for this exciting opportunity.

Required

• Relevant Level 2 qualification
• GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2) or willingness to work towards
• Experience in a customer-focused environment
• Experience liaising with employers
• Experience building and maintaining positive employer relationships

Reasons to join us

• We offer substantial annual leave entitlement (Up to 47 days per year including bank and public holidays)
• Holiday purchase scheme to buy additional annual leave days
• Local Government Pension Scheme – with a generous 19.2% employer contribution! 
• We invest in our people through funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training and paid volunteering days
• Career advancement opportunities with tailored support for staff to progress 
• Free Barnsley College courses to support your professional and personal development (subject to approval)
• 24/7 access to same day appointments with a GP
• Exclusive discounts and cashback for retail, dining and leisure as part of YouatWork
• Access to health cash plans as members of the Westfield Health Scheme or Health Shield
• Discounted college gym membership with onsite facilities
• Supporting employee mental health through access to free counselling services and the Foundations App
• Discounts schemes for greener travel including Northern Rail, Trainline and Cycle to Work
• Free Microsoft Office 365 for personal use on up to five machines
• Access to discounted hair and beauty therapies at our onsite salon
• On site subsidised Starbucks and food outlets offering a variety of dining options
• Free breakfast provided daily for all staff members
• Our shared purpose – We believe in transforming the lives of both our learners and staff

The Barnsley College Advantage
When you join us, you can expect to benefit from The Barnsley College Advantage. This is the advantage of:

• Being supported to achieve your personal and professional goals
• A range of flexible working opportunities
• Autonomy, Empowerment and Accountability
• Short- and Long-Term development commitments
• Access to experiencing work in a range of areas
• Working in a Value and Behaviour led organisation
• Reward and Recognition
• Having your voice heard at every level
• Comprehensive Wellbeing Support

Closing date for applications is Sunday, 3rd August 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early depending on the level of interest.

Barnsley College is committed to creating a dynamic and diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all candidates regardless of their gender, disability, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or faith. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure from DBS.

Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.