Wish 11 – Leeds Business Anchors pilot: Key learnings from work experience week
Leeds Business Anchors is a partnership of large businesses in Leeds that come together to increase their collective contribution to the city and identify practical interventions they can take as a group that will deliver local benefits.
In June 2025, five members of Leeds Business Anchors delivered a pilot work experience week, which was ringfenced for care-experienced students.
The opportunity aimed to provide a positive learning experience about the world of work, exposing students to workplaces and diverse roles in Leeds, to better engage stakeholders and highlight program value.
The program aimed to boost students’ confidence, raise awareness of career routes, and develop key employability skills, demonstrating our collective commitment to supporting care-experienced students and making a meaningful difference.
Students shared positive feedback about the placement experience, tasks, and support, which underscores the program’s effectiveness and our shared dedication to student development.
“Getting to know about the different companies and speaking to the respected apprentices”
“Doing different tasks, interacting with different people, and daily learning new things”
“Everything new areas, the work world, the people, the food, transferable experience….”
All students felt that they had benefited from:
- Learning about the industries
- Gaining practical skills
- Understanding workplace culture
- Building confidence
- Networking with professionals
- Exploring career options
Asked what they learnt or achieved, the students said:
“I would say that being on this experience has made me more open to talking to new people and asking questions”
“I would say that being on this experience has made me more open to talking to new people and asking questions”
“Critical thinking, problem-solving”
“Many – but to mention communication skills, analysing,”
We are pleased to confirm that the Anchor business has agreed to offer the program again in 2026, reflecting our ongoing commitment to this valuable initiative and its positive outcomes.
Leeds Business Anchors is an established network, supported by Inclusive Growth Leeds, focused on helping businesses shape practical action in areas such as employment and skills. The network highlights member collaboration and valuable tools to boost local impact.
