Be Ambitious

Students
Employers

Be Ambitious Week: Monday 1st July - Friday 5th July 2024

Be Ambitious Week returns after a successful first year, designed to support A1 students with gaining meaningful work experience by self-placing or participating in an employer-led project at college. We have some fantastic opportunities to get involved in with local, national and international employers!

What can I get involved in during Be Ambitious Week 2024?

Choose the best option for you: either self-place or apply for an employer-led project. Both opportunities are great ways to develop a variety of transferable employability skills, build networks and start thinking about potential next steps.

What is a self-placement?

Students can choose a placement sourced by our Work Placements Team or contact an employer themselves. Any questions, please email placements@asfc.ac.uk

College-sourced placements will go live on Monday 20^th May 2024. Please check your college emails for more info.
Self-placement forms have been sent to you by the Work Placement Team. Please note: you must have agreed this placement with the employer and sent the relevant documents back to the Work Placement Team by the deadline stated.
98% of students who participated in 2023 felt their placement enhanced their employability skills.

What is the Be Ambitious employer-led project?

Experience what it's like to work on real workplace projects...

We have a variety of meaningful work-based projects on offer from a number of different sectors, organisations and employers. Throughout the week, you will be supported by an Industry Mentor and link teacher; this is a brilliant way for you to work collaboratively, research something outside of what you're studying in the classroom, all whilst delving into the world of work.

Launch Event: an introduction to the programme and receive a guide to support you with the week
Be Ambitious Week: Meet your Industry Mentor to discuss your project brief in more detail, work in groups or independently on a project, have check-in points with your mentor and finally present your project back to receive feedback at the end of the week.
94% of students who participated in 2023 felt the employer-led project enhanced their employability skills.

From contributions during the week, to the final presentation of projects... Industry Mentors have the option to nominate students who have stood out during the programme with prizes and awards up for grabs during our annual Awards Event!

How do I apply to an employer-led project?

Students apply via a Microsoft Form. Choose three projects and write a statement as to why you think you should be chosen for your first-choice project brief. Where possible, we will match students with their first-choice project, however this is not always possible. For more information, check your college emails from beambitious@asfc.ac.uk or scan the QR codes on posters located around college!

Applications will go live on Monday 20^th May 2024. Deadline: 2^nd June 2024. Please check your student emails for the sign up link.

What do students get out of the experience?

Students get the opportunity to work with an organisation on an exciting project in a meaningful way. You will develop essential sector and employability skills as well as benefit from experience of the world of work. It gives students valuable insight into various sectors, helping you to think about your future career and develop your social capital.

“I enjoyed working with new people, pushing myself outside my comfort zone in terms of presenting the presentation at the end of the week and gaining more information about getting into the Police as a career.” (2023 Student participating in an employer-led project)

“I got to be more creative. II take subjects that aren’t very artistic, like Law and History” (2023 Student participating in an employer-led project)

What if I am unsure about what I want to do?

We understand making decisions about your next steps can sometimes be daunting. If you are unsure what pathway you want take after college, think about what your strengths are, your interests and what subjects you enjoy. For more information, email beambitious@asfc.ac.uk and we can discuss potential options!

Be Ambitious Week: Monday 1st July - Friday 5th July 2024

What is Be Ambitious?

Be Ambitious is our flagship employability programme giving opportunity for employers and industry professionals to work with students from Ashton Sixth Form College on our either a real life work-based project or providing work experience for students to self-place.

“Excellent programme and well done to everyone in ASF who made this a success.” 2023 Industry Mentor

“I think the Be Ambitious Week was an excellent opportunity for learners to showcase their talents but also for [us] to gain a new insight into our services.” 2023 Industry Mentor

What do employers get out of the experience?

Employers supporting an employer-led project will have the opportunity to design a brief that the business could benefit from, for example, the project could consist of some local market research or an idea for a new product design. You could also use this as an opportunity to raise the profile of your business with young people or attract a more diverse workforce. Ultimately, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a difference to young people’s lives and influence their future career path.

“The communication between the college and myself was great, clear or what was needed from myself and no expectation for it to eat into a large part of my day. It was also really interesting to hear and see new perspectives on the task and topic I personally set.” 2023 Industry Mentor

Become a sponsor

Are you interested in raising your profile with young people to attract a more diverse workforce? Do you want to support future talent? Email beambitious@asfc.ac.uk for more details.

Employer Opportunities

Ashton Sixth Form College is keen to expand our Employer Network, increase opportunities for students and help prevent skills gaps. We want to give students an insight into a variety of industries; below are some of the things you can get involved in:

Guest speaker – Throughout the year, we invite employers to visit ASFC to deliver talks to large groups, subject classes or run a 1:1 discussion/smaller sessions. This gives students the chance to ask employers questions about their business or the wider sector.
Be Ambitious - Our flagship employability programme designed to support students to complete a meaningful work-based project set by industry professionals. Employers will have the opportunity to design a project brief for students that the business could benefit from e.g. a project that consists of some local market research or an idea for a new product design.
Workplace safari – Invite students for a “day in the life” to get a taste of the world of work. Employers can take students on a tour of the facilities/departments and showcase the different careers within the business. Some organisations tie this in with a session on careers within the industry. This could be a couple of hours or a full day.
Work placements – Work with our Work Placements Team to provide valuable work experience for our students. The team will support employers to build the placement on an individual basis. Students may need to complete a certain amount of hours for their course or be interested in a week/two-week long experience during a half-term break.
Industry/sector focused workshops - Invite students to take part in a planned project or masterclass/workshop this can be held at your organisation or at the college.
Mentoring – The opportunity to match employers with students interested in a particular profession. Mentoring allows students to expand their professional networks, explore a particular sector, build confidence and develop crucial work-related skills.
Participation in Careers Fairs – Invitations will be sent to attend a variety of events; employers will be given a stand and will have the opportunity to share information about joining your industry after students leave college.
Virtual employer experiences – From ‘Days in the Life of’ Tour to Q&A sessions, there are lots of ways to work together virtually.