The variety of placements helped students explore different career paths. Chloe, for instance, found her passion split between the Gym and Nursery, enjoying both the fitness environment and working with young children.
Meanwhile, Harry, who dreams of a career in sports, appreciated the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in different areas to better understand his future options.
For Finn, a regular cyclist at YMCA bike track, the placement was a natural fit. Already passionate about sport, the experience broadened his perspective on potential careers and how he could integrate his love for fitness into his future profession.
At YMCA, we believe in giving young people the best possible start in their careers. Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting an incredible group of GCSE students for an exciting and hands-on work experience placement across our various departments.
Oliver, Lucie, Chloe, Finn, and Harry spent the week rotating through areas including the Café, Facilities, S&C Gym, Nursery, and the Climbing Wall. It was fantastic to see their confidence grow and their career ambitions take shape as they explored different opportunities within sport and facilities.
Each student had a unique experience and took something different from their time with us.
Learning, Growing, and Finding Passions
For Oliver Faulkner, currently studying for his GCSEs, the experience confirmed his interest in facilities management.
“It’s really good – the staff are so welcoming and leading me in the right direction. YMCA is amazing, I would recommend it to anyone. Working somewhere in facilities is something I would love to go into.”
We are committed to providing meaningful work experience placements for young people looking to explore careers in sport, facilities, and beyond. At YMCA, we offer an exciting selection of opportunities for schools, with space for up to six students per week. To take part, we ask schools to book placements around a month in advance to ensure the best experience for students.
If you’re a student, parent, or teacher looking for work experience opportunities, get in touch with your school to arrange a placement with us. We can’t wait to welcome more young people and help them take the first steps towards their future careers!