Sixth Form Students complete their Dream Placement

A group of talented students from St Benedict’s Sixth From have recently completed their Dream Placement organised by the Centre for Leadership Performance (CfLP).

Dream Placement is a unique Cumbrian initiative, project managed by the Centre for Leadership Performance (CfLP), that brings together bright, motivated young students aged 16-18 with some of the most forward-looking and successful businesses in the county.

The students went through a selection process which included applications and interviews, and then were shortlisted for a place with various businesses in Cumbria. They all took part in their placement during the half term in February.

Mr Hamilton, Director of Learning for Sixth Form was very proud of all the students, he said:

“This is such a fantastic opportunity for our students, giving them invaluable experience and insight into the working world.”

“Well done to all of our students who took part, the feedback they have given me has been extremely positive.”

The following businesses & students were involved:

Lily Collins – Nuclear Waste Services
Annabella Corlett – NDA
Missy Freestone – Actemium
Joshua Groggins – Nuclear Waste Services
Leo Hamilton – Allerdale Waste Services
Bradley Keenan – GEN2
Mycah Labiano – Jacobs
Mia Landells – All Together Cumbria
Lana Lewthwaite – Jacobs
Max Merrin – William King Construction
Alisha Seath – Paragon Vets

Mycah Labiano was at Jacobs for her week, along with Lana Lewthwaite. They explored all the different disciplines at Jacobs at Westlake’s Science Park in the engineering field (specifically electrical, mechanical, design engineering & project management), and then on the Wednesday and Thursday they visited Birchwood Park in Warrington where they stayed overnight to get an exclusive look inside Jacobs’ laboratories.

They toured the robotic, civil and mechanical engineering facilities, in addition to going inside the environmental, radiographic and hydrogen labs to learn more about Jacobs as a company beyond Cumbria.

The visit was a unique opportunity to see first-hand the innovative work and diverse specialities, offering an insight into the industrial environment. Finally, on the Friday, they had a tour of Jacobs’ facilities at Beckermet and then did our presentation of what we learned during the placement.

Mycah said:

“It truly was an unforgettable week, and the exposure to all the disciplines really highlighted the breadth of opportunities available within the field of engineering.”

Alisha Seath spent her week at Paragon Vets. She had a great experience and said:

“I had a very exciting and action-packed week meeting new people and learning interesting things about the different departments at Paragon vets. I started on the Monday at the Dalston centre in the dispensary where the vaccines and medications are stored, as well as spending time on the reception. The day after was focused on the business side of Paragon, where I looked at the roles involved in accounting and being a coordinator. I learned about the ways Paragon have helped the environment and became more sustainable which they won an award for. An example is the wellbeing garden.

“On the Wednesday, I spent the day in Newbiggin watching the retrieval of cow’s eggs using ultrasound machines, looking at the eggs under a microscope and grading them on quality in the lab. I also got to explore the equine facilities. I finished the week off watching surgeries in the hospital and listening in to client appointments.”

“Overall, one of the highlights of the week was the puppy training class, which was entertaining to watch them learning commands. It truly has been an amazing opportunity that I’m so thankful for!”

Photos from Mycah & Lana during their time at Jacobs: