Selecting projects and activities for a Health and Science industry placement
The Health and Science skill area will have 3 T Levels:
- Health
- Science
- Healthcare science
Within these, students could do industry placements in:
- adult nursing
- midwifery
- mental health
- care of children and young people
- therapy
- laboratory science
- food sciences
- metrology sciences
- pharmacy services
- healthcare sciences
Ideal placements could include:
- nursing
- research and development (pharmaceutical products)
- education (laboratory science - preparation for experiments and scientific tasks)
- NHS services
- healthcare science
Identifying placement projects in the Health and Science Skill Area
Look for tasks and activities for placement students that:
- build on initial core knowledge and practical skills developed on their course before the placement starts, aligning them with the skills needed in the workplace
- facilitate skills development
- will attract and challenge high-calibre students aiming for a career in health or science
- provide opportunities for students to make a meaningful contribution, but recognising that they are likely to be new to the world of work and so will need support and training
- allow learning and contribution without being an added burden for their supervisors, and without slowing down overall business processes
Below we’ve described three example scenarios of tasks and activities that could be suitable for placement students. We encourage you to think about placement opportunities that can offer relevant experience to students and can add value to your organisation.
You can use the Planning the content of an industry placement article to structure industry placement projects and activities, to provide meaningful experience for the student, and to deliver tangible benefits for your organisation.
Industry placement example scenarios
Contents
Food technology
A student was recruited to a two days-a-week industry placement throughout their second year carrying out research as part of the food technology team for a large supermarket producing innovative and exciting new “farm to fork” ready to eat food.
Projects and activities:
- Assist with the collection, interpretation and analysis of food product data to track production trends
- Under supervision, plan and carry out a taste panel; evaluate the results and make recommendations for product improvement
- Under supervision, plan and carry out sustainability analysis for a new food product, taking into consideration: raw materials, packaging, reuse of waste, energy usage and transport costs
Technical laboratory sciences
The student supported the technical laboratory team in a large petrochemical organisation in the regular controls and analysis of samples.
Projects and activities:
- Under supervision and following a specification, assist in the setup of laboratory and equipment for use in testing and analysis
- Following standard operating procedures, health and safety requirements and using appropriate techniques, maintain, clean and calibrate certain scientific laboratory equipment
- Assist a qualified technician by transcribing scientific data and information
Healthcare Support Work – Children and Young People
Two students joined the Healthcare support team for children and young people at a large NHS Trust. The primary objective was to support the development of children and young people.
Projects and activities:
- Design and develop ideas for distraction techniques supporting the development of the well and sick child and present them to the team
- Under supervision, assist registered nursing staff to record a range of physiological measurements of patients, such as blood pressure, oxygen saturation or blood sugar levels
- Using active listening and engaging with individuals to develop rapport and build confidence thereby assisting with patients’ overall comfort and wellbeing
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