Employers FAQs

Who are work placements for?

Placements are available to Salford residents who are either currently unemployed or under-employed (i.e. currently working, but overqualified and/or on a zero contract or low hours). A work placement is ideal for residents who have a gap on their CV and/or an inconsistent employment history. Salford Futures will help to provide participants with the opportunity to develop the necessary workplace competencies, skills and experience.

What are the benefits for employers and teams?

By helping residents to gain work experience, you can benefit in the following ways:

• Enhancing organisational profile and services provided to the local community
• Keeping in touch with local residents and communities who access your services
• Creating opportunities for existing staff to develop their mentoring, supervisory and coaching skills and experience
• Motivating and valuing your employees
• Accessing a pool of hidden talent - people who offer enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to your organisation and service
• A chance to contribute to the supply of skills to encourage future employees to recruit local talent and to improve the quality of young people entering work
• Have people with fresh ideas asking questions about what you do and why you do it
• Raising the profile of your business and sector
• Awareness of the careers available whilst breaking down stereotypical views about the sector, for example that certain careers are only for men or women only
• Reducing the cost and timescales of any future recruitment needs

Where are candidates referred from?

Candidates are referred from a wide range of locally based statutory and non statutory services and learning, skills and work providers e.g. Skills and Work, Connexions, Jobcentre Plus, National Careers Service, Salford City College, Salford Wellbeing Services and Voluntary and Community Organisations etc.

How long are placements for?

Usually placements last between eight and ten weeks and for up to 30 hours per week. However shorter placements for fewer days per week and less than eight weeks can be arranged depending on the individual circumstances of the candidate and also the availability of a placement with the employer.

Could our organisation host a placement?

If there are already people working in that environment then the likelihood is that a placement can be hosted there, providing the relevant health and safety and risk assessment procedures are followed. If a specific risk assessment is needed for young people, we will arrange this with you at your convenience.

How do I choose a work placement candidate?

You will be able to choose your own respective work placement candidates by attending planned recruitment events and undertaking informal interviews. This follows an initial assessment process to ensure the quality of the candidates shortlisted for placements are appropriate. 

After the recruitment events a scoring and matching process will be undertaken and based on the feedback received from employers candidates will be allocated a placement according to a 'best fit' approach, taking into consideration their individual score and current skills base.

What do I need to do to host a work experience placement?

Complete a Work Placement Template for each placement positions you have available within your organisation and return via email to salfordfutures@salford.gov.uk. The template is situated in the downloadable documents section below. You can also find examples of completed work placement templates and JDs including an outline of some of the common duties and tasks expected.

Who should I contact for more information?

If you and your organisation would like to find out more about hosting a work experience placement please contact Sebastian Young (email sebastian.young@salford.gov.uk or call 0161 793 2638) or David Timperley (email david.timperley@salford.gov.uk or call 0161 793 2553). Alternatively you can email salfordfutures@salford.gov.uk.

Further support

• Salford Employment Hub
• Apprenticeship support from Salford Skills for Business Apprenticeship Fund

Alternatively you can contact us online with your enquiry.

This page was last updated on 23 August 2023