Students take on work at Torridge Council

Torridge District Council recently welcomed a number of Year 10 students from Bideford College and Kingsley School for an immersive week-long work experience program.

The initiative aimed not only to acquaint students with the inner workings of council services, but also to boost their self-esteem, sharpen their skill sets, and nurture emotional growth by immersing them in real-world work scenarios.

Throughout the week, the students delved into various departments, including Customer Services, Public Health and Community Safety, Communications, and Legal, offering them a diverse array of experiences. The council also stated that they attempted to satisfy students' career advancement preferences by matching them with their preferred work area for at least some of their assignments.

Torridge Council said the children had a fantastic week and appreciated the staff's efforts and the vast range of experiences available. Reflecting on their time at the council, the students expressed great satisfaction and thanks for the kind welcome they received from personnel and the abundance of learning options available.

"I enjoyed my week at the council because I learnt a lot, everyone I met was welcoming and there was a large variety of things to do," shared one student.

Another student said: "I really enjoyed myself – (it) opened my eyes to new departments that I wouldn’t have considered otherwise." 

Overcoming initial nerves, another student confessed, "I was a bit nervous in the beginning but in every department, they’ve been so welcoming, honestly don’t want to go back to school. It's been so fun here!"

According to Torridge Council, work experience positions are a great way to expand your skill set and explore different career paths. As stated by Torridge District Council, they take great satisfaction in giving students an intensive, hands-on learning experience that gives them an insight into how a local government authority operates on a daily basis.

Sarah Ayres, Human Resources and Communications Manager at Torridge District Council, said: We understand that thinking about the future can be intimidating, which is why we have provided a diverse range of opportunities to help students gain a better understanding of the potential career paths available when working for a Local Government Authority.”

The council has since encouraged educational institutions and prospective students to contact them for further information on work experience possibilities.