Students Thrive During Be Ambitious Week 2026
For the fourth consecutive year, our first-year students have taken part in Be Ambitious Week, an initiative that continues to grow year on year and forms a key part of our Careers and Employability Offer.
First launched in 2023, Be Ambitious Week gives students the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the world of work alongside their studies. Through hands-on work placements and employer-led projects, students develop essential skills, build confidence and prepare for their next steps after college.
Throughout the week, students either complete external work placements with a range of organisations, including Sephora Headquarters, Not Really Here Group, Greater Manchester Police and the NHS, or take part in employer-led projects, where they are set real-world briefs and present their ideas and solutions at the end of the week.
This year, we once again partnered with organisations such as Tameside Council, the BBC and United Utilities, who provided projects for students to work on throughout the week. Students stepped out of their comfort zones, collaborated in teams and produced industry-standard work, all while being mentored by professionals who provided expert advice and guidance.
The opportunities available through Be Ambitious Week continue to expand, with students now completing placements overseas. Harrison, who studies on our Football Coaching and Development course in partnership with City in the Community, spent his placement in Memphis, Tennessee, with Lobos Rush Soccer Club.
Working alongside experienced coaches, Harrison helped deliver a soccer camp for players aged 7-14 and led sessions on a variety of topics. Throughout the week, he also worked with older age groups as they prepared for a National Playoff event in San Diego, California.
Paul from Lobos Rush Soccer Club praised Harrison’s contribution, saying: “Harrison has been really engaged and a great addition to the team for the week.”
The quality of work produced through external placements and employer-led projects has also been highly praised by employers. One student, Isobel, completed her placement at The Royal Oldham Hospital with the Allied Health Professionals Department. The staff praised Isobel’s hard work: "Isobel was professional, enthusiastic and keen to learn throughout her placement with our Allied Health Professions team. She showed initiative, asked thoughtful questions and gained valuable insight into a range of healthcare roles, making a positive impression throughout her time with us."
Students have fully embraced the opportunities provided through Be Ambitious Week and made the most of the experience. Nathan, who was tasked with producing a documentary-style video about the week, said:
“Be Ambitious Week has given me the chance to live a part of my dream, being a director and filmmaker for the college’s employer-led programme, filming a documentary on the week itself.”
Rachel Smirke, Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Progression, said:
“Four years into Be Ambitious, I couldn’t be prouder of our students and the maturity they bring to the week. With 50% of students out on work placements and the remainder fully engaged in employer-led projects, they are immersing themselves in developing essential soft skills, building professional contacts and experiencing real workplace environments. These experiences will serve them incredibly well as they move into the job market, whether that’s straight after college or following university.
Be Ambitious Week is genuinely transformative, and we are continually impressed by how seriously students take the tasks set by employers. The value of this week grows year on year, and our students rise to the challenge every time.”
We are incredibly proud of all our students for fully immersing themselves in the opportunities and experiences available throughout Be Ambitious Week. We would also like to thank all of the employers and organisations who have supported our students and helped make this year's programme such a success. We look forward to building on that success with another fantastic Be Ambitious Week in 2027.
