“In February 2023, I attended a Dream Placement with Costain. With aspirations for a career in project management, Costain helped solidify my interests by providing relevant information, support, and activities. They developed my understanding and interest by involving me in various sessions across many departments. They excelled in explaining complex topics at my level of understanding and clearly showed their investment in my future. Dream Placement gave me an unparalleled opportunity to apply my learning to a real-life context. Engaging in Costain’s sessions was not only academically interesting and useful but thoroughly enjoyable.
Additionally, my 2023 Dream Placement inspired me to reapply for the 2024 season, for which I was successful. This allowed me to further add to my experience and gain insight into another fantastic company, Nuclear Waste Services (NWS). During the selection event for the 2023 season, I also met my current employer, whom I have been working for as a placement student at Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners since September 2023. In essence, considering the three Development Events, Selection Event, Placement Week, Celebration Event, and networking opportunities that led to my current employment, Dream Placement is so much more than a week of work experience: it is a chance to change your career path for the better.
As a Year 13 student who discovered Dream Placement in Year 12, I have had the unique experience of being part of Dream Placement for two years in a row. This year, I was chosen to be a Dream Placement student with Nuclear Waste Services during February half-term. As part of a student team including Josh Groggins, Rowan Walker, and Evan Graves, I got the opportunity to diversify my knowledge of the nuclear industry, gaining valuable insights into the sector.
We engaged in activities surrounding the history of the LLWR site, waste management, categorisation, current and future solutions such as the Geological Disposal Facility, and the environmental and wildlife aspects of on-site operations. As someone deeply interested in project management, my favourite parts of the week were when I had the opportunity to speak with PMs and project team members from across the organisation about their roles, projects, and career paths. These conversations also led to further opportunities to speak with PMs outside of my Dream Placement.
When given the option to expand the original project we were given for the week from a lesson plan into a plan for an education and engagement programme, I took it with both hands. The ability to apply my theoretical knowledge to the context of a real project showed me how much I love the application of my subject. An incredible group of people—over thirty individuals—played a part in our experience this week, and I am so grateful for each of their contributions.
Whilst I have now aged out of the Dream Placement programme, I hope to inspire the next generation of potential Dream Placement students to go for it. I know I would not be where I am with my professional network today without this opportunity, which I know is vital to success in any sector. I am now in the final stages of my T-Level and cannot wait for the next step in my career—a degree apprenticeship in project management—which I will be undertaking after a gap year. I will be making my applications at the end of this year, and I know from my Dream Placement sessions that I am prepared for success.”
Contact nicola.woolley@cforlp.org.uk to learn more, visit www.dreamplacement.org.uk or:
