Industry Placement Co-ordinator

Join Colchester Institute - Where Your Career Makes a Difference. At Colchester Institute, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities. As one of the leading providers of education and training in the region, we are proud to offer a dynamic, supportive, and forward-thinking working environment.

Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, working with us means being part of a team that values innovation, inclusivity, and excellence. We are committed to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for continuous professional growth and development. We are especially passionate about driving diversity and inspiring individuals from all backgrounds to thrive in careers across a wide range of sectors. This position is located within our Business, Accounting & Computing Department. By joining our team, you’ll help shape the future workforce and make a lasting impact on the lives of learners.

As the Industry Placement Co-ordinator, you will work closely with the Assistant Area Manager for Computing to support the effective development and delivery of the T Level Work Placement course, playing a vital role in its ongoing success. Your core duties will include onboarding new employers, coordinating student placements (typically one day per week or in block formats), and monitoring progress throughout. You’ll support students through their pre-placement induction, addressing key practicalities such as travel, welfare, and safeguarding, while conducting regular check-ins both on campus and at employer sites. You’ll also be responsible for identifying and reporting any issues or emerging risks.

Acting as a key liaison, you will represent the College professionally to employers. With training provided, you’ll gain a solid understanding of the broader employer offer and refer appropriately to other college services, helping identify further training opportunities and build lasting partnerships.

• Support the identification, recruitment, and onboarding of local employers—primarily for the T Level Work Placement Programme, with potential to extend to other placement or internship opportunities.
• Collaborate with Curriculum Leaders to develop and maintain resources that support the work placement process, ensuring all necessary documentation is completed before placements begin.
• Work in partnership with internal stakeholders to assess and monitor placement-related risks, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and Welfare considerations.
• Organise work placement opportunities and act as the primary contact for employers, ensuring they fully understand the requirements and expectations of student roles.
• Provide students with pre-placement advice and guidance, helping them understand the objectives of their placement and expectations around workplace behaviour, punctuality, and travel.
• Support students in developing employability skills, including assistance with placement applications and preparation for a successful experience.
• Maintain regular communication with both students and employers during placements to offer continued support and address any emerging issues.
• Monitor and review placement progress, ensuring accurate and auditable records are kept in line with awarding body requirements and funding regulations.
• Keep employer information up to date in the CRM system, and ensure relevant details are shared with appropriate internal teams.
• Promote Colchester Institute’s employer-led services and products, working collaboratively with college teams to meet employer needs.

• Educated to Level 3 Standard or Equivalent, ideally in IT/Computing.
• Experience of working with young people.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to work and develop relationships with students and employers.
• Good knowledge and skill of IT terminology and working practices within the IT/Computing industry.

If you meet the essential criteria outlined in this overview and are enthusiastic about the opportunity, we encourage you to apply. All applications will be assessed against the stated essential requirements, so please ensure your application clearly demonstrates how you meet them.

Colchester Institute is firmly committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. We strive to inspire young women to pursue careers in sectors traditionally underrepresented by females, while also embracing diversity in all its forms. Our aim is to attract the most talented individuals to our roles and support their ongoing career development.

We do not engage with recruitment or search agencies unless they have been officially contracted in line with our PSL. Applicants are encouraged to apply directly to us and should not be persuaded to go through an agency. The Colchester Institute will not accept agency fees for recruitment activities unless there is an active engagement linked to a specific role that has been agreed upon in advance. We will not pay fees associated with CVs or applicants sent to the College by agencies on a speculative basis or in response to our advertisements. Agencies should refrain from sending CVs to College staff on a speculative basis.

Colchester Institute is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We strive to be an Equal Opportunities employer. All applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a Criminal Records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.