Into the World of Work
Most departments have an Industrial Liaison Officer (ILO). The role of each ILO is to:
- Help students to find work placements.
- Keep in contact with all students working on sandwich placements
- Liaise with employers to identify career opportunities for students
As a Writtle student you will be offered ongoing careers advice to give you every possible chance of getting the job you want when you leave.
Help with careers information is also available after your studies are finished by joining the Old Students' Association.
Industrial Placement opportunities for undergraduates
At Writtle all students are offered the opportunity to complete an industrial placement. Writtle has extensive links with many businesses, government agencies and charitable organisations.Horticulture
All horticulture students are encouraged to undertake a period of industrial placement. For full-time students on a Foundation degree this is usually a one year industrial placement commencing at the end of the second semester. Full-time degree students may start a similar industrial placement at the end of the first or second taught year. For full-time students that have prior industrial experience, a short summer placement in industry may be the preferred option. Many part-time students are already working in industry, and they are able to gain credits towards their award by undertaking work experience based modules, based upon their existing work place.Writtle has a wide range of placements on offer, and students are given support to ensure that they find a suitable placement. Almost all are in paid employment (apart from those who choose to work for voluntary agencies). Many students find the industrial placement is an invaluable experience and that it adds considerable weight to their CV when seeking employment at the end of their course.
The College is regularly invited to attend trade shows, conferences and showcases for the industry. The College has exhibited at the RHS Chelsea Show for over ten years, consistently winning medals.
Amenity Horticulture
Opportunities for industrial placements include jobs abroad in high profile organisations and with top UK employers, for example, Cambridge City Council, Kew Gardens and the National Trust.Landscape Construction
The College has a wide and varied range of industrial placements, resulting from our good relationships with industry through BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries). These placements cover small and large landscape companies dealing with domestic and commercial landscape construction as well as maintenance work.Commercial Horticulture
Students are encouraged to undertake an industrial placement. Opportunities exist for students to work in all sectors of the industry, both in the UK and abroad. Help is available to those interested in gaining work experience in this way.Sports Turf Management
Placements are available in the UK, Europe and America. These include championship golf courses, Premier League football clubs, cricket clubs and sports turf construction companies. Examples of previous placements include Gleneagles, The Belfry, The London Club, arlequins Rugby Club, Crewe Alexandra F.C., Essex County Cricket Club.Agriculture
Although not mandatory, an industrial placement year after two years of study is strongly recommended. Placements may be on either an agricultural or large commercial horticultural enterprise or with an allied industry such as an agrochemical company, co-operative or merchant. It is also possible to work abroad but for placements in Europe, a second language is often required.The Foundation degree in Agriculture has a requirement for a 10-week placement on an approved holding during the summer vacation, although mature students could claim credits for earlier work experience. Students on the Foundation degree from a non-agricultural background or students that would like more experience may opt to do a 12 or 15 month placement between years one and two of the course.
Business Management
The department has developed significant links with a number of businesses by the provision of visits and guest speakers. The Food Chain Centre, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Lotus cars (among others) have provided case study material for all students in all three years of the degree programmes. We encourage students to undertake an industrial year, either at home or abroad, and provide support and guidance prior to and during the process. Work experience and career development are core elements of the Foundation degree in Business, and enable students to improve their career opportunities and gain valuable commercial experience.Leisure and Tourism Management
The Leisure and Tourism Management courses are kept vocationally relevant by having close links with industry. First year students undertake a two week period of work shadowing, where they ‘shadow’ a person in a supervisory/ management position in a leisure organisation, during which they complete a related project. Although it is the responsibility of the student to find their own placement, assistance is available if required. In their second and third year students can also gain industry experience through modules such as ‘Learning from Work Experience’ and ‘Business Development’.Rural Environment & Conservation
Work placement periods can add considerably to a student’s experience during their studies, they also enhance possibilities for employment at the end of the course. The College has a Conservation Industrial Liaison Officer who will assist students in finding suitable placements. Furthermore the Liaison Officer keeps in contact with students and liaises with the employer throughout the placement period.Equine
Many of the College teaching staff are highly regarded within the equestrian industry, with several members of the team involved with research and consultancy activities for key organisations such as the British Equestrian Federation and all associated disciplines, British Breeding, the British Horse Society, The Animal Health Trust, The Royal Veterinary College, The Countryside Agency and Defra. This results in students obtaining excellent contacts within the industry, with key figures regularly contributing to lecture programmes.The College is a member of the British Equine Trade Association and regularly attends major trade shows both in the UK and overseas, such as Badminton and Burghley Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show, Equitana and the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event.
International exchanges are currently available with universities in the USA, Holland, Canada and Finland as part of the Equine Honours and Foundation degree programmes.
Writtle College works with the following organisations to give students the best possible opportunities for employment and research: HorseIT.com, Dengie, BETA, South Essex Insurance Brokers, Baileys, The Countryside Agency, British Eventing and British Breeding.
