Summer Term Work Experience at Altus

Altus celebrates successful work experience and supported internship placements

At Altus Education Partnership, we are committed to providing opportunities that help young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed in their future careers.

During the summer term, the Trust was pleased to support two different work experience opportunities, welcoming young people into our central office and giving them the chance to gain valuable insight into the world of work.

Supporting future careers through work experience

Altus was delighted to welcome two participants for a two-day work experience placement as part of the Fly High Summer School, organised by Elsie Blundell MP.

The placement provided an opportunity to experience life within a Multi-Academy Trust and gain an insight into the wide range of careers and professional roles that contribute to the successful running of an education organisation.

During their time with us, the participants worked alongside colleagues from a variety of teams, including Finance, HR, Governance, Procurement, Marketing, Community, Data and Safeguarding. This provided a valuable overview of the different responsibilities and career pathways within each area.

The participants were able to get involved in a range of practical activities, including placing orders and requisitions, reviewing application forms and preparing interview questions, obtaining quotes and researching suppliers and providers, and drafting social media content.

They also completed Equality and Diversity training and had the opportunity to explore safeguarding through discussions around different scenarios, helping them understand the importance of safeguarding within an education setting.

Throughout the placement, each task was discussed in detail and approached with enthusiasm, professionalism and a genuine willingness to learn. The experience provided an opportunity to develop confidence, communication and other transferable workplace skills, while gaining a better understanding of the variety of careers available within the education sector.

A successful supported internship

Altus also welcomed a supported intern during the summer through our valued partnership with Hopwood Hall College and Rochdale Borough Council.

The eight-week placement, which took place one day each week during the summer term, formed part of the nationally recognised DFN Project SEARCH supported internship programme. It provided a valuable opportunity to gain real workplace experience within the Trust's central office, while developing practical skills and confidence in preparation for future employment.

Working alongside Director of SEND, Ellen Patel, and Partnership Development Manager, Jo Haworth-King, the intern contributed to a range of meaningful projects and day-to-day activities.

The placement was carefully planned in partnership with Hopwood Hall College to ensure it was purposeful and well supported. A bespoke job description, carefully planned work tasks and an ‘All About Me’ profile helped to ensure the opportunities provided reflected the intern's strengths, interests and aspirations.

Throughout the placement, the intern demonstrated outstanding commitment, reliability and a positive attitude, completing work to an exceptionally high standard. From administrative responsibilities to supporting wider partnership initiatives, they approached every task with enthusiasm, professionalism and a genuine willingness to learn.

The experience provided an opportunity to build confidence, develop transferable workplace skills and gain valuable experience in preparation for future employment.

Celebrating success

To mark the successful completion of the internship, Ellen Patel and Jo Haworth-King were proud to attend the graduation ceremony alongside the student at Rochdale Town Hall.

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of interns who had successfully completed the programme, recognising their hard work, commitment and progress towards employment. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the journey each intern had taken and the skills and confidence they had developed along the way.

Creating opportunities for the future

Both placements highlight the importance of giving young people meaningful opportunities to experience the workplace, develop new skills and discover potential career pathways.

At Altus, we are proud to work with partners and local organisations to create opportunities that support young people in developing the confidence and skills they need for their next steps.

We would like to thank Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale Borough Council and Elsie Blundell MP for their support and partnership, as well as all of the Altus colleagues who gave their time and expertise to make these placements such valuable experiences.

We wish all of the participants every success for the future and look forward to seeing where their journeys take them.