Built by a teacher, for students who deserve better

Valueplacement was created to solve a problem I saw every day in my classroom — brilliant students with no easy way to find real-world experience.

The gap nobody was filling

As a business teacher in Berkshire, I noticed something every year. My students — many of them studying business, healthcare, IT, construction and the arts — were finishing their courses without ever having set foot in a real workplace.

Job boards like Indeed and Reed are designed for people who already have experience. They are not built for a 17-year-old studying a BTEC who just wants to shadow someone for two weeks.

And for employers — there was no simple way to reach motivated local students who want to learn. That gap is what Valueplacement is here to close.

1 in 3
FE students leave college without any work experience on their CV
73%
of employers say work experience is more important than qualifications alone
0
dedicated platforms existed for FE students in Berkshire before this one

What we stand for

“Every young person in further education deserves a fair chance to gain real experience — regardless of who they know, where they live, or what challenges they face.”

— Valueplacement Founder

Our values

  • 🎯

    Access for all

    We believe opportunity should not depend on connections or background. Everything on this platform is free for students.

  • Inclusive by design

    Many of our students have dyslexia, ADHD or other learning differences. This site is built with them in mind, not as an afterthought.

  • 🤝

    Local connections

    We focus on Berkshire first. Real relationships with local employers who understand the community and want to give back.

  • 🔍

    Transparency

    We are clear when listings are AI-generated. We label them and encourage students to verify details directly with employers.

  • 📚

    Education first

    Every opportunity on this platform is screened to be genuinely suitable for students still in education — not full-time adult roles in disguise.

  • 🌱

    Long-term thinking

    We measure success by how many students go on to fulfilling careers — not by website traffic or revenue.

Built for Berkshire students

Whether you are 16 or 40, studying full-time or part-time, Valueplacement is for you.

🎓

For students

  • 16-19 year olds on BTEC, T-Level or A-Level courses
  • Adult learners on further education programmes
  • Students with SEND, EHCP or additional learning needs
  • First-generation students with no family connections in industry
  • Students across all Berkshire colleges and sixth forms
🏢

For employers

  • Small businesses wanting to support local young people
  • Charities and community organisations offering volunteering
  • Medium and large companies with structured placement programmes
  • Healthcare, education, construction and creative sector employers
  • Any Berkshire-based employer open to student talent
🌍

Diversity, equity and inclusion

We actively encourage employers to consider candidates from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, care experience, or English as an additional language. We ask every employer who posts a listing to confirm they are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment.

Read our DEI commitment