Work experience at Peterborough City Council

We offer flexible, unpaid work experience. The standard length for students in Year 10 or sixth form is one week, although we may consider up to two weeks. Where a different arrangement is needed, we will consider a tailored schedule.

Most placements take place between Monday and Friday, 9am to 5pm.

However, if this doesn't suit your circumstances, we can consider applications for flexible or reduced hours. There is an option to indicate your preference in this on the application form.

Our standard work experience takes place in-person, in which case students must attend the agreed workplace each day. 

Most work experience placements will take place at our headquarters - Sand Martin House, Bittern Way, Fletton Quays. However, depending on the role, students may also work at our other locations such as the Town Hall on Bridge Street, Dodson House in Fengate, or Westcombe Engineering.

Depending on the nature of their role, some staff will also work off-site at times.

We work agilely but students are always accompanied by a colleague and assigned a buddy for the day as will be explained in the work plan.

We are exploring ways to pilot experiences offering the following styles of work experience where there is a need:

• Hybrid working (a blend of in-person and remote working)

• Online-only work experience

Let us know what would work for you. There is an option to indicate your preference in the online application form.

How to find Sand Martin House

The postal address postcode for Sand Martin House does not show on some GPS systems. Therefore, please use one of the options below:

1. Sand Martin House on Google Maps
2. Type ‘PE2 8AD’ into Sat Nav (PE2 8TY does not work, despite it being the postal address).
3. Type ‘Bittern Way, East Station Road, Peterborough’ into Sat Nav

Parking

Visit our car park locations and charges page to find information car parks, prices, blue badge spaces etc.

We have to public car parks at Sand Martin House that visitors can use:

1. Sand Martin House multi-storey PE2 8TY (400+ parking spaces for cars and motorbikes, located halfway along Bittern Way on the left). Operated with a ticket barrier system, pay machines located on the ground floor. Blue Badge parking spaces are available near the old part of the building, as well as in the multi-storey car park.
2. Railway Sidings PE2 8TY - Surface car park for 90 parking spaces, located at the very end of Bittern Way, to the east of Sand Martin House (often fills up early in the day).

Public transport

The nearest bus stops to Sand Martin House are a 5-10 minute walk away at Town Bridge Corner Westbound Oundle Road, or Town Bridge Corner Southbound, London Road. You can find information on the Stagecoach website.

Sand Martin House is located approximately a 1 mile walk from the train and bus stations.

Cycling

There are open cycle racks for visitors to use at Sand Martin House.

Travel support

Schools may be able to provide travel support for their pupils while undertaking work experience. If you have any questions about travel, or if you have any issues with getting to our office for your placement, please let us know so we can help.

You will be in a professional environment so you should dress smartly. Please do not wear jeans, ripped clothes, logo tops or shorts.

Think about what you are going to wear and if you have any questions, contact us before the placement- we will be happy to help.

We will provide any safety clothing where required.

We will provide you with a laptop and any equipment you need. If you wish to bring something in particular such as a notebook, pen or drinks bottle please feel free to do so.

However, please note that Peterborough City Council does not accept responsibility for damage to or loss of personal property.

You will have a one-hour lunch break every day.

Comfort breaks to be taken whenever you need them, please just let someone in the team know where you are going, so we know you are safe.

We have large kitchen areas with plenty of seating. They are equipped with fridges, microwaves, hot and cold drinking water dispensers.

You will need to bring either your own lunch with you, or some money to buy something to eat.

Some staff bring a packed lunch, and others buy something from the local sandwich shops. Bewiched and The Shed are near the entrance to the building and a 'Premier' convenience store is 2-3 minutes' walk away, near the river. There is also a tuck shop in the first-floor kitchen selling snacks.

If you have any questions about lunch, please contact us.

Students will be met on arrival by a member of staff.  They will be emailed with instructions for their first day, including where to go and at what time.   

During your placement, you will:

• Learn about various job roles
• Gain insights into council operations
• Work on real projects
• Keep a diary of your experience
• Shadow team members

Each work experience varies as they are designed by the host team for a valuable and enriching experience.

An overview of your first day:

• Meeting your buddy
• Receiving induction - covering health and safety, where to find the toilets and kitchens, how to behave in the workplace, information about routines, introductions with staff
• Laptop and IT set-up
• A tailored schedule, including an introduction to your timetable and learning journal which your teammates will explain

There will be opportunities to:

• Discuss clear targets, learning outcomes, experiences and skills you would like to have
• Speak with different employees to help you understand how the council works
• Share and present ideas
• Have an overarching, meaningful project that is aligned with your interests and relevant to our work

Students are well supported throughout this process, including preparing for each meeting.

You will be assigned a buddy and they will be able to support you with any concerns you have. Alternatively, just ask any member of staff and they will be able to help. 

We want to make work experience as accessible as possible for all young people.

Visit our support available to work experience applicants with additional needs page.

We request that students are polite and respectful, showing staff the same courtesy, shown to them.

We all have a duty to take care of our own health and safety, and that of others who our actions may affect. This includes co-operating, listening carefully, following instructions, and taking part in relevant training. If we are concerned about the student’s behaviour or become a danger to themselves or others, the school/university placement coordinator will be alerted and we may stop the placement.

Where students are going to be late or absent, they must let us know using the contact details they will be provided with. If we do not hear from them, we will contact the school or emergency contact.

We currently do not offer paid work experience opportunities.