Higgins Partnerships Work Placement Programme

The aim of the programme is to provide interested candidates aged 18+ with the opportunity to gain insight into the construction industry and the roles and opportunities available. Beyond this, Higgins also want to see candidates graduating from the Higgins Partnerships’ two-week work placement with tangible skills development which they are able to articulate clearly and effectively to improve employability and encourage progression into employment or apprenticeships within the company, the supply chain or the wider sector. The programme has taken work placements from providing generic insight and shadowing for candidates to achieving real measurable skills development and impact for individuals. It also creates a talented pipeline of candidates to fill roles in the organisation. With the Skills Builder approach embedded in the programme, candidates reflect on their progress and reassess the skill levels on Skills Builder Benchmark upon completion of the placement, to identify progress and improvements achieved during the work experience placement.

During Summer 2022, four candidates completed the work placement programme. At the beginning of the placement, candidates complete the Benchmark skills survey to understand their current skills levels for three focus skills. The candidates were provided with a workbook to complete during their placement, where they set themselves goals to achieve for the three skills during their placement. During the placement candidates work with their line managers and mentors to apply the skills on the job following the Skills Builder Guidance and completing a regular diary and workbook.

Higgins Partnerships are always looking at how they can spread the Skills Builder ethos throughout the company. They were delighted to work with Skills Builder Partnerships, to develop a work placement programme in which three of the essential skills were embedded into the programme: Listening, Speaking and Teamwork. Candidates have the opportunity to focus on developing these three skills throughout their two-week placement. The aim of the programme is to provide interested candidates of all ages (18+) with the opportunity to gain insight into the construction industry and the roles and opportunities available. Beyond this we also want to see candidates graduating from the Higgins Partnerships’ two-week work placement with tangible skills development which they are able to articulate clearly and effectively to improve employability and encourage progression into employment or apprenticeships within the company, the supply chain or the wider sector. The programme has taken our work placements from providing generic insight and shadowing for candidates to achieving real measurable skills development and impact for individuals. It also creates a talented pipeline of candidates to fill roles in the organisation.