At Salford City Council, we understand that meaningful work experience help our residents gain practical skills and prepare for future careers. Through our Step into Salford programme, we are passionate about supporting local people on their employment journey.
Our priority is to support residents of Salford, including those studying at local schools, colleges, or universities, who are interested in gaining experience within the council.
To help with this, we have a single route to apply for work experience, and all applications must be submitted using our request form.
Please note that direct approaches to individual council services will be redirected to this route.
Before applying, take time to explore our website, and the different services within Salford City Council to find the one that best matches your interests and career goals.
Benefits of work experience
Taking part in a placement with Salford City Council offers a range of benefits:
- Gaining valuable new skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience
- Developing and building on existing strengths
- Enhancing your CV and employability
- Improving future prospects in education, training, or employment
- Supporting the achievement of qualifications
- Securing a reference for future opportunities
- Giving back to your local community
- Gaining good experience within the public sector
Who can apply?
We welcome expressions of interest from:
- School students (Years 10 to 13)
- College students
- University students
- Graduates
- Care leavers
- Other local residents (eg career changers, returners to work)
Other requests
If you don’t fall into the categories above but feel you would benefit from a placement, select ‘other’ on the form.
Application timescales
Submit your request at least 6 weeks before your proposed start date to allow time for checks and preparation.
Health and safety
All placements are subject to a risk assessment to ensure your safety. Anyone under 16 does need to seek permission from a parent or guardian.
Age restrictions
Some placements may have specific age requirements depending on the role and risk assessment.
Contact and response times
We aim to review and respond to all work experience requests within 10 working days. During busy periods, this may take longer, but we will update you as soon as possible.
To help us process your request more efficiently, please include in your form whether you have already spoken to someone within a council service about a potential placement. Providing their name and department helps us ensure your request is directed to the correct team without delay.
All communication regarding your placement request will come from our central Step into Salford team.
We prioritise Salford residents, but we will consider applications from outside the area where capacity allows.
If you need the form in another format or require any adjustments during the process, please let us know and we will support you.
How to apply
To request a placement:
- Complete the work experience request form.
- A member of our team will be in touch.
We’d love to offer work experience to everyone who’s interested, but spaces are limited and can fill up quickly. That means we might not be able to say yes to every request—but we’ll do our best! Make sure to give us as much info as you can in your application to help us understand what you're looking for.
Apply for work experience with Salford City Council
Equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging at Salford City Council – work experience opportunities
At Salford City Council, we’re proud to champion an inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong.
We’re committed to building a fairer, greener, and healthier Salford—and that starts with you.
Why we ask about protected characteristics
When you apply for work experience, we may ask about your protected characteristics—such as age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and caring responsibilities. This information helps us:
- Understand who we’re reaching and where we can improve access
- Make reasonable adjustments to support your needs
- Ensure fairness and representation in our programmes
- Create safe and inclusive spaces for everyone
Sharing this information is optional and always treated confidentially. It helps us make sure our opportunities are inclusive and accessible to all young people in Salford.
Join us
By joining Salford City Council for work experience, you’re stepping into a workplace that values equity, inclusion, and belonging. We’re here to support you, celebrate your strengths, and help you thrive.
This page was last updated on 24 July 2026